The Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress urges the government to consider devising an old-age pension scheme.
We refer to Social Security Organisation (Socso) CEO Mohammed Azman Aziz’s opinion piece (“Invalidity pension not for retirees”), published in the Star (17 December 2019).
He has raised a very pressing issue about social security safety nets relevant to an ageing society. Given that by 2030 more than five million Malaysians would be over 60, it is his opinion that the government ought to embark on an old-age pension payment scheme. The Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress is in complete agreement with his suggestion.
Life expectancy has risen and, as a result, a sizeable component of working citizens are over 60. This segment of society, productive as they remain, are bereft of adequate social security protection.
Yes, they are entitled to Employees Provident Fund contributions at 5.5% of their wages plus 6.5% paid by the employer compared to a composite contribution of 24% for workers below 60.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
As for protection, under the Social Security Act, they are only covered under the employment injury scheme and not the invalidity pension scheme. Thus, a worker over 60 who is inflicted with an employment-related mishap can seek redress under Socso, but he or she is barred from doing so if the disabling circumstances are not employment-related even though these workers serve the interests of their employers and the nation.
Such inequality is a gross deprivation of social security protection to those over 60 of working age. All workers, employed in any workplace, must be provided with the same measure of social security shield. And all legislative discrimination – such as the unjustified lower EPF contributions and exclusion from the Sosco invalidity pension scheme – is, in our opinion, unacceptable.
While a review of the relevant laws would be appropriate, the government ought to give serious thought to a pension scheme as the number of those entrapped in the 60-plus age group is growing. As long as someone is employed, he or she ought to be accorded equal social security protection whether through EPF contributions or invalidity pensions under Socso.
With insuffient EPF savings, no thanks to the low and middle-wage income trap, those over 60 are left with no option but to continue working to eke out a living in the face of the ever-escalating cost of living. Sadly, social security protection is grossly inadequate for them.
Thinking aloud, the government ought to consider consolidating the EPF and Socso entities in moving forward with devising an old-age pension scheme. Given that these organisations have billions of ringgit at their disposal, developing an old-age pension scheme may well be a possibility.
Having regard to the prevailing circumstances, Penang MTUC calls upon the government to consider implementing:
- a retirement age of 65 given that life expectancy has risen
- a uniformed combined EPF contribution of 24% for those in employment past the age of 60 years to eliminate any age-based discrimination
- a standard employment injury and invaidlity pension scheme for those past 60 but still in employment to provide equal protection
- the consolidation of the EPF and Socso entities with a view to devising a pension scheme to cater for an ageing society
K Veeriah is secretary of the Penang division of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress
19 December 2019
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
