Penang registers RM111,111 in EIS payout since Jan

GEORGE TOWN: A total of 185 individuals who were laid off by their employers in Penang have received interim benefit payments under the new Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS) which was legislated from January, this year.
State Social Security Organisation (Socso) director Othman Mohd Nordin said that for the first three months of this year, the recipients were allocated RM600 each under the new EIS scheme.
He said in total 307 individuals has applied under the scheme but only 185 were approved and eligible.
"Fifty-eight applicants were rejected for various reason and another sixty-four application is under process and investigation", he said after attending a Socso EIS Seminar at Eastin Hotel yesterday (April 4).
He said in total RM111,111 were allocated for the payment.
Othman also added that Socso will also help employees to find employment during the three months of their interim period, provided that the candidate must be qualified with the requirement that is needed by their prospective employer.
Earlier Othman was at the seminar attended by 500 employers and employees from all over Penang.
The seminar was organized to introduce the stakeholders to the scheme and how can the employees apply.
The EIS which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 17 is targeted to assist private sector workers who lose their jobs to get financial assistance and find new jobs.
Under the EIS scheme, the contribution from employers will be 0.2% of an employee's monthly salary and likewise from the employee.
Anyone who has lost their employment is qualified to apply for the interim benefits payments subject to the provisions of the Act.
For further information on the EIS, please contact SOCSO at 1300 22 8000 or visit SOCSO's official website at www.perkeso.gov.my/sip.