FILM and arts workers are encouraged to take advantage of the one-year subsidy of Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) contributions for 4,500 members of the industry.
National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said 90 per cent of the contribution would be borne by the government and the remaining 10 per cent would come from Perkeso.
He said less than half of the roughly 15,000 arts industry workers, who work on a freelance basis, make contributions to Perkeso.
"Finas and Perkeso have been working closely for six months to hold various awareness programmes for the arts industry workers.
"To encourage them to contribute, subsidies have been given for a year.
"We have asked the Malaysian Artistes Association (Seniman), Professional Film Workers Association of Malaysia (Profima) and Film Directors Association of Malaysia (FDAM) to register their members," he said in a recent 'Berita Harian' report.
According to Azmir, close to 80 per cent of artistes are self-employed who should, at the very least, receive protection through Perkeso.
Finas, he added, will make it mandatory for productions to ensure that their employees contribute to Perkeso.
"Any production that applies for a Filming Authentication Certificate (SPP) needs to ensure that its employees contribute to Perkeso.
"They will need a standard contract for Perkeso and EPF when applying for an SPP.
"I have discussed the matter with the ministry, requiring recipients of the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) and Finas grants to have these standard contracts." he said.
In doing so, he added, they would over time have the awareness to contribute without having to be told.
This would give them a place to go to if something were to happen, such as losing the ability to work.
"For example, there is the case of a former film worker in Sarawak who had cancer, was unable to work and needed around RM400 a month to buy medicines.
"When we (Finas) came to offer help, we brought along a Perkeso official.
"Upon checking, we found that he had contributed and was entitled to a disability pension of RM800 a month.
"That's why we encourage arts workers to contribute to Perkeso. Just put aside a small portion of your wages for a secure future," he said.