Enhanced support: Carpenters working at a factory. PERKESO has pledged to work with SMEs to ensure the job vacancy notification process helps them find talent without being a new layer of red tape. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) does not expect instant compliance from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on the new requirement to notify it of job vacancies.
It pledged to work with SMEs by providing hands-on guidance, holding clinics and having help desks so that smaller firms know exactly what is needed.
This includes knowing the concerns of SMEs through structured engagements with the Malaysian Employers Federation, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia and other SME bodies, it said.
“PERKESO’s approach is not to demand instant compliance but to work with SMEs until the mechanism is sensible and practical.
“We will be simplifying the reporting process so that it is a single, light, digital step that fits into existing human resource routines.
“The aim is to turn vacancy notification into something that helps SMEs find talent and plan better, and not be a new layer of red tape,” PERKESO said in a statement to The Star.
The government has announced a moratorium of up to two years on enforcing the proposed Section 45F of the Employment Insurance System (EIS) Act, which requires employers to report job vacancies.
This followed the Dewan Rakyat passing amendments to the EIS Act aimed at expanding support for PERKESO contributors who lose their jobs and strengthening scheme governance.
PERKESO said job vacancy notification is a necessary obligation in a modern labour market, comparable with tax e-filing or making EPF and PERKESO contributions online.
“During this transition period, no employer will be penalised under the new provision. The time is deliberately generous. It will be used to explain the requirement, test the system with real users, refine the rules and build confidence among SMEs.
“Employers will continue using existing hiring channels and complying with current EIS contribution requirements, while taking part in briefings and townhalls that explain what will change later. Whether two years is enough is less about the calendar and more about what we do within that period,” the agency stated.
According to PERKESO, the two-year moratorium will comprise an initial phase to design and consult with industry roundtables and SME sessions, followed by voluntary, low-risk use of the reporting function for employers to become used to it.
“Only then will we move into the phase of formal enforcement once the system is proven workable. The fine of not more than RM10,000 only applies if it is brought to court. However, PERKESO will handle the compliance through administrative fines as low as RM100.
“That too, is if the employer refuses to collaborate after sufficient engagement has been done with the said employer,” it added.
