Recent news

Latest items of recent news relevant to Malaysia as reported in our fortnightly newswire ‘Dernières nouvelles’. 

Malaysia: EPF minimum contribution rate reduction period extended until June 2022

The period to reduce the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contribution rate from 11% to 9% will be extended until June 2022 …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Lorry drivers, assistants entitled to overtime, rest day claims, affirms court

The High Court in Ipoh has confirmed the ruling of the Labour Court which awarded lorry drivers and their assistants working for a frozen chicken producer RM115,000 (US$27,662) in overtime, plus back pay for rest days and public holidays …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: MPs urge government to expedite tabling of Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

An Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is being currently drafted by the Family and Community Development Ministry …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Vaccination programme

Although many companies are willing to pay for their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and the government supports the move, in practice it is difficult to obtain vaccines …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Minimum wage being reviewed

The last minimum wage order took effect in February 2020 …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Immediate closure of premises if employers do not allow staff to quarantine

According to the Health Minister, Datuk Dr Adham Baba, employers who prevent workers from undergoing self-quarantine whilst waiting for their COVID-19 test results or require employees to work after receiving COVID-19 negative results may be penalised …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Paid COVID-19 vaccine leave

Randstad – a global recruitment and HR solutions company – is now offering two day paid COVID-19 vaccination leave to its employees based in Malaysia and Singapore …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Tax relief extended until December 2021

The special tax relief of RM2,500 (US$606 …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Socso contribution rate

The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has been under increasing pressure to increase rates of contribution and broaden the range of benefits covered by the social security system …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Man wins Malaysia’s first legal challenge against Islamic law banning gay sex

A landmark court decision has been the first to challenge the country’s Islamic laws concerning sexual orientation …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Advertisement of vacancies on MYFutureJobs for the hiring of expatriates

Employers are reminded that if they wish to employ new expatriate staff, they are now required to first advertise the job on the government’s portal (MYFutureJobs) for at least 30 days, after which interviews of local candidates must be conducted …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: PM announces improved wage subsidy programme

Under the enhanced Wage Subsidy Program (3 …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Employers can submit employees’ application to maintain 11% EPF contribution

Although the 2021 budget has set the new statutory contribution rate to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) at 9% of monthly wages (temporarily reduced by 2% from 11%), employees may still choose to maintain their statutory rate of contribution at 11% by submitting a Borang KWSP 17A (Khas 2021) form to their respective employers …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: Job advertisement required for Employment Pass applications

In addition to the FKW requirements reported in the previous Newswire, companies that are intending to renew, or apply for new employment permits for their foreign workers, are now required to place an advertisement for the job vacancy at the JobsMalaysia portal for a minimum of thirty days …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.

Malaysia: EPF withdrawals

The government has given its approval to the practice of withdrawing funds from the primary account of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in order for individuals to cope with the financial costs of the pandemic …

Please login to view this content or become a member by joining now.