One for the album: Workers from the private sector and government agencies posing in a group photo during the launch of the Labour Day celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Calls by employees for employers to contribute 20% towards the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will be discussed, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We have received such a request but have yet to discuss it.
“It will be brought to the Cabinet for discussion,” the Prime Minister told reporters after launching the Labour Day celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.
Presently, employees contribute 11% of their monthly salary to the EPF, while employers contribute another 12% or 13% of the person’s salary according to the statutory rate.
Anwar was asked to comment on Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre’s 12-point request, which included the raising of employers’ EPF contributions and the retirement age.
Separately, Anwar said civil servants’ salaries, bonuses and benefits will be increased if Malaysia records higher revenue.Acknowledging that the salaries of civil servants among the lower and middle ranks are unsatisfactory, he said it is time for a review.
“Give us a year; if revenue goes up, we will prioritise a pay rise for the civil servants,” he said.
Anwar also called on civil servants to fight corruption as well as financial wastage and leakages.
