Malaysia steps up delivery of Permai package

The RM15-billion (US$3.7 billion) Permai package is targeted to assist both employers and workers impacted by the pandemic and includes the Wage Subsidy Programme 3.0 (PSU 3.0), SIP Prihatin, SPS Lindung, and the COVID-19 Screening Programme for Foreign Workers. 

“These improvements are in line with the announcement of Permai by the prime minister, that all assistance and benefits from the government are to be channelled immediately to those affected by the implementation of the movement control order (MCO),” Socso said. 

Through the PSU 3.0, all sectors are eligible to receive a wage subsidy of RM600 (US$148) per month for each employee earning less than RM4,000 (US$988) for a period of one month, while for the tourism and retail sectors, the period is extended to six months, it said. 

Socso added that “with an additional allocation of RM1 billion (US$247 million), the government has increased the limit from 200 to 500 employees per application, with 250,000 employers employing more than 2.6 million workers expected to benefit from this initiative”. 

Under the SIP Prihatin programme in the Budget 2021, the job-search allowance has been improved and extended for those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 

In addition, the SPS Lindung will provide protection in work-related accidents which will benefit delivery riders particularly. “Under this programme, the government provides full contributions for them for one year through Plan 2 of the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme as protection against occupation-related injuries,” Socso said. 

READ: Malaysia rolls out RM15 billion economic package

Finally, the COVID-19 Screening Programme for Registered Foreign Workers will also continue. The cost of supplying test kits will be fully borne by Socso in high-risk zones to identify COVID-19 clusters in the workplace. Socso said, to date, only 18% of foreign workers registered with Socso have undergone the screening tests, according to Bernama.