SHAH ALAM: The Communications Ministry aims to get 50 per cent of the 70,000 full-time workers in the local film industry to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) within the next two years.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said up to now, there were 3,925 professionals from the industry who were contributing to the EPF i-Saraan Scheme since 2010.
"I don't expect all 70,000 full-time workers in the industry to contribute (to EPF). But over the next year or two, I hope that we can increase this number, with a target of at least 50 per cent," he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and the EPF here today.
Present were EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Finas chairman Datuk Kamil Othman, Persatuan Seniman Malaysia president Zed Zaidi and Film Directors' Association of Malaysia chairman Datuk Afdlin Shauki.
Through this MoU, Finas and the EPF had agreed to establish a strategic collaboration by extending the EPF scheme to artistes, as well as those in the creative and entertainment industries.
They included actors, production crews, scriptwriters, directors and others working directly or indirectly in the industry, who would now be able to access benefits that were previously available only to those in the formal sector.
In his speech, Fahmi said the total contributions from the 3,925 industry members had reached RM28.33 million in i-Saraan contributions, RM1.48 million in government-approved incentives and RM231.94 million in EPF savings.
"Of the contributors, 44 per cent are male (1,709 individuals) and 56 per cent are female (2,216 individuals)," he said.
Fahmi said this MoU also included efforts to strengthen workers' welfare issues, such as insurance protection, improved employment contract standards and the promotion of the EPF contribution scheme.
"Such initiatives demonstrate the unity government's commitment to ensure that every industry participant is protected.
"I also believe that this effort is aligned with the initiatives of film associations, which play an important role in advocating for the rights and welfare of workers in the creative industry.
"I urge all association representatives present to give their full support to this initiative," he said.