malaysia
Policy Responses to COVID-19
Malaysia: Introduction of i-Lestari Withdrawal
kwsp.gov.my (23.03.2020) Employees Provident Fund (EPF) says that EPF members may apply for the i-Lestari Account 2 Withdrawal Scheme beginning 1 April 2020. They can expect their savings to be deposited into their bank accounts from 1 May 2020.
Malaysia: Contributions to the Employees Provident Fund will be reduced
treasury.gov.my (27.02.2020) The effects of COVID-19 reverberate beyond the tourism industry. Malaysian businesses, especially exporters are affected by supply chain disruptions involving factories and ports in China. Therefore, the Government will carry out immediate measures to boost local consumption growth to cushion the effect of negative external factors, while protecting local Malaysian jobs. These measures include: First : the minimum Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution by employees will be reduced by 4% from 11% to 7%, with effect from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2020.
Malaysia: Additional PRIHATIN SME Economic Stimulus Package
pmo.gov.my (06.04.2020) The additional measures are: First, the wage subsidy programme announced on 27 March will be expanded from RM5.9 billion to RM13.8 billion, an increase of RM7.9 billion. Under this additional initiative, all companies with local employees earning a monthly salary each of RM4,000 and below will receive wage subsidies as follows: For companies with a workforce of more than 200 people, we will provide a wage subsidy of RM600 per month for every retained worker.
Malaysia: Wage Subsidy Programme to assist employers in retaining their workers
pmo.gov.my (27.03.2020) The Government will introduce the Wage Subsidy Programme to assist employers in retaining their workers. Through this programme, the Government will provide salary of RM600 per month to every employee for 3 months. This programme is dedicated to workers earning less than RM4,000 and employers experiencing more than 50% decrease in their income since 1 January 2020. This measure is estimated to benefit 3.3 million workers with an allocation of RM5.9 billion.
Establishment of Employer Advisory Service (EAS) to assist and manage employers in a time of crisis
Malaysia: Anticipation of payment of cash transfer and additional payment of BSH program
thestar.com.my (16.03.2020) Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said that the RM200 payment for Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) recipients will be brought forward to March 16 from its initial date in May. “The BSH payments amounting to RM760mil will benefit 3.8 million BSH households." He also announced that an additional RM100 will be paid to BSH recipients later in May, adding that it will involve RM500mil which will benefit five million BSH recipients.
Malaysia: Workers forced to take unpaid leave to receive cash assistance of RM600 a month
thestar.com.my (16.03.2020) Employees who are affected will receive financial assistance of RM600 each month for a maximum period of six months, said Muhyiddin. Workers who are given notice to take unpaid leave beginning March 1 will be eligible for the financial assistance, said Muhyiddin. “This involves an allocation of RM120mil, and as many as 33,000 workers are targeted to receive this benefit, ” he said during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on March 16 (Monday).
Malaysia: Govt launches COVID-19 fund to help patients and others affected
pmo.gov.my (11.03.2020) UTRAJAYA. The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government today launched a special fund which will give financial aid to those directly affected by the COVID-19 infection. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said for a start, RM1 million had been channelled into the fund to help COVID-19 patients and those under 14-day quarantine but not holding any jobs. “We don’t want their lives to be affected. So, this is one type of humanitarian aid we are giving.