EPF, Immigration Dept Collaborate To Enhance Foreign Worker Contribution Compliance

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Immigration Department can now share data more accurately and securely on Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS), Employment Pass, and other valid work passes that permit foreign workers to work in Malaysia.

The partnership was made possible through system integration between the EPF and the Immigration Department, following the signing of a strategic collaboration note to support the implementation of mandatory EPF contributions for non-Malaysian workers.

The EPF said the signing of the collaboration note took place during the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.

“This collaboration, among other things, will enhance enforcement capabilities by strengthening systems and data flows, enabling a more efficient verification process, particularly during the implementation phase of the mandatory EPF contribution, which came into effect on Oct 1,” the EPF said in a statement.

To date, 1.3 million workers have successfully contributed through approximately 60,000 employers, and the data indicates a positive response from compliant and responsible employers, it said.

“However, there are still employers who have failed to comply with the mandatory contribution requirements, which affects the social protection of their non-Malaysian workers.

The EPF also reminded employers who have yet to implement the mandatory contributions to do so to avoid penalties and legal action.

EPF chief operating officer Sazaliza Zainuddin, in the same statement, said the memorandum of understanding would enhance the EPF and the Immigration Department’s ability to verify workers’ status, strengthen transparency and expedite the registration process for non-Malaysian workers.

“This collaboration marks an important step towards ensuring that national policies are implemented with greater discipline, integrity and operational excellence, ultimately delivering long-term benefits to employers, workers and the entire employment ecosystem,” he said.

-- BERNAMA