‘Ingenious idea’ from EPF gives value to work of housewives

PETALING JAYA: The EPF's move to allow men to contribute to their non-working wives' accounts has been described as an ingenious idea of giving value to the work of a housewife. 

“After all, the wife is the household manager and she deserves to be paid,” said Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hong. 

He said it was a good idea to create a “pension fund” for the wife while the couple was young and able to contribute. 

GOOD IDEA: Doraisingam welcomes EPF’s move and will start contributing towards the EPF for his wife Gomathy.

“Some years ago, when my wife stopped working, I employed her on a part-time basis so that I could pay her EPF contributions. 

“Over a period of time it (the savings) will accumulate. This is part of the financial planning of savings that one can use during the old age,” he said. 

Businessman Datuk R. Doraisingam Pillai said he was grateful to his wife Datin S. Gomathy for performing the daily domestic chores. 

“I was considering buying another insurance policy for her, but now I will start contributing towards the EPF for her.'' 

“I think the wives deserve to be appreciated for the work they do in the house all day long. 

“As a businessman, I leave the house management to Gomathy and this contribution (to the EPF) is a token of appreciation for her for carrying out chores like driving the children around, looking after them and getting the food on the table three times a day,” said Doraisingam, who is the chief executive officer of the Lotus Family Restaurants Holdings. 

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