KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 398 former Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd employees have filed for claims under the Employees Insurance System (EIS) under the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
The number is almost half of the 815 Utusan Group employees whose services were officially terminated on Oct 31, and qualify for five months allowance under the Job Seekers Allowance (EMP).
Socso EIS chief Datuk Mohd Sahar Darusaman said 27 early applications have already met the necessary requirements for claims.
“For example, those earning RM4,000 can earn RM3,160 seven days after the claim is made, RM1,975 in the second month, RM1,580 in the third and fourth month and RM1,185 for month five.
“I advise the remaining 417 ex-Utusan staff to come forward and make their EIS claims as soon as possible so aid can be channeled quickly,” he said.
“Public awareness over the benefits offered by the EIS is still low; many are unaware that they qualify for the payout thanks to contributions made by their employer,” he told a press conference at a registration event for former Utusan staff at the Socso office, here, today.
He said apart from assisting with the EIS application process, Socso also offers training programmes, including industrial training, as well as job placements.
“Today, Socso arranged interview sessions to fill up vacancies offered by three companies, MPH Group Printing Sdn Bhd, Percetakan Mesbah Sdn Bhd and Percetakam Zainon Kassim Sdn Bhd.
“There are 150,000 job vacancies nationwide. There are 1,669 job vacancies in October and November alone,” he said.
Asked on the new wages offered being lower than the previous pay and not meeting the applicants’ monthly requirements, he said Socso will do its best to help applicants secure jobs which match their skills and expertise.
“I advise applicants to take what is available first while waiting for a better offer as the job market is critical at the moment.
“A total of 33,906 people who are insured lost their jobs in various sectors since early this year. This is expected to increase to 37,600 by the end of December.
“From this total, 14,283 have returned to work,” he said.
About 56 per cent of loss of employment took place in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Out of that number, 14,283 people managed to get new jobs.
Those who would like to be assisted for financial aid, job search and training can visit any of the Socso offices nationwide or visit eis.perkeso.gov.my.