KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) says that it has disbursed RM3.02 million for 280 job loss claims in the aviation sector as of Dec 13, this year.
During the pandemic, Perkeso provided RM20.34 billion under the Wage Subsidy Programme (PSU) to support 357,520 employers, helping to sustain the employment of around 2.954 million local workers and mitigate unemployment among Malaysians.
Perkeso revealed that over 800 employees in the aviation sector alone benefited from RM13 million through the PSU.
To further promote a sustainable and inclusive workforce and create more job opportunities for local talent in the aviation industry, Perkeso and the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This MoU also aims to enhance enforcement within the aviation sector by improving compliance with social security regulations and protecting employee welfare.
"This MoU reinforces our commitment to protecting the welfare of aviation employees while ensuring compliance with key social security regulations, said PERKESO group chief executive officer Datuk Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
"Through this partnership, we aim to introduce innovative solutions to tackle industry challenges, particularly by prioritising the placement of skilled Malaysian workers in critical roles," he said.
The partnership facilitates the exchange of information on aviation service providers' obligations under key legislative frameworks, including the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), and the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 (Act 771).
As part of the initiative, PERKESO will launch the National Career Exploration Centre (NPCEC) in 2025, offering a physical support hub, a Metaverse platform for digital career exploration, and a virtual career carnival.
To complement the MoU signing, PERKESO organised the MYFutureJobs Aviation Mini Career Fair, featuring 6 industry leaders such as AirAsia, Menzies Aviation Malaysia, and Turkish Aerospace Malaysia.
Azman said to the media that the event is offering 160 specialised job opportunities, underscoring the shared goal of creating a sustainable and skilled local aviation workforce.