KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — The one-off RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance for eligible Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributors is expected to improve the matching of workers with job opportunities, particularly where vacancies are located beyond their immediate areas.

Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Senior Adviser for Government, Media and International Engagement Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the initiative recognised that relocation and extended travel could involve significant upfront costs for workers to take jobs farther from home.

“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 said in a statement today.

However, Syed Hussain said MEF encouraged Socso to clearly communicate the eligibility criteria, application procedures and payment timelines to workers and employers.

Yesterday, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan announced that the government would provide a one-off RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance to Socso contributors who secure new jobs located more than 100 kilometres from their homes.

He said the allowance would take effect on Oct 1 through amendments to the Employment Insurance System (EIS) Act 2017.

On the broader enhancements to the EIS, Syed Hussain said the increase in the Early Re-employment Allowance from 25 per cent to 50 per cent of the remaining unpaid Job Search Allowance would provide additional support for eligible workers who return to employment early.

He said the increase in the daily Training Allowance from RM10 to RM30, together with the increase in the maximum training fee covered from RM4,000 to RM7,000, would further strengthen the EIS in helping unemployed workers reskill and transition into new employment.

Syed Hussain said employers could also benefit from employment services and worker-support programmes that help reduce the time taken to fill vacancies and improve the matching of suitable candidates with available jobs. — Bernama