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Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) contributors can redeem a one-off RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance (EBM) if their new job is located 100km away from their homes
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said the initiative will take effect on 1 October following the amendments to the Employment Insurance System (EIS) Act 2017, reported New Straits Times.
The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) welcomed the move, with senior adviser for government, media, and international engagement Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman saying the allowance could help address geographical barriers to employment and better match jobseekers with available vacancies.
"From employers' perspective, improving geographical mobility will contribute to a more efficient labour market by enabling vacancies to be matched with suitable workers beyond the immediate local area.
"This is particularly relevant in sectors and regions where employers continue to face difficulties in sourcing workers with the required skills and experience," he told Bernama.
Syed Hussain also urged PERKESO to clearly communicate the eligibility criteria, application procedures, and payment timelines to workers and employers.
As of today, 23 September, PERKESO has yet to provide details on the EBM registration process and eligibility requirements on its website.
Other than the EBM initiative, employees can also enjoy other benefits following the amendments to the EIS Act
Below are the changes:
| Benefit / Category | Previous Rate | New Rate | Notes / Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Re-employment Allowance | 25% | 50% | Increase to 50% of the remaining unpaid Job Search Allowance (JSA), which provides replacement income to those who have lost their sole source of income for three to six months. |
| Daily Training Allowance | RM10 – RM20 | RM30 | Per day during the training period. |
| Maximum Training Fee Covered | RM4,000 | RM7,000 | Maximum amount covered for training fees. |
| Relocation / Distance Allowance | – | RM1,000 | One-off allowance for contributors taking jobs over 100km away. |
| Total EIS Support & Protection | – | Up to RM25,000 | Total amount per contributor. Subject to eligibility and the specific benefits received. |
Learn more about the benefits under the EIS Act here.
