The Aviation Committee and the Social Security Institution have signed a memorandum of understanding to share databases to ensure the aviation industry complies with relevant regulations and protects the rights of employees in the industry.
Datuk Seri Sharibuddin, the Executive Chairman of the Aviation Committee, mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, some operators faced severe impacts and chose to ignore employee rights to reduce costs.
“During the pandemic, some operators chose not to fulfill their responsibilities of paying employee-related social security fees.”
Datuk Seri Mohamad Azman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security Institution, stated that although the number of involved operators was not many, the institution will still take action.
Both parties stated this at a press conference following the signing of the cooperation memorandum.
Besides social security, Sharibuddin indicated that the committee will also seek to cooperate with other entities like the Employees Provident Fund and the Inland Revenue Board.
The Aviation Committee currently oversees 60 license and permit holders, including those holding licenses for aviation services, ground handling, and airport operations.
In addition, Mohamad Azman said that with this memorandum, the Social Security Institution can also organize job fairs in the aviation sector through the MYFutureJobs employment service website to help employees in the field find suitable job opportunities.
Earlier, Mohamad Azman pointed out in his speech that the Social Security Institution stood at the forefront during the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We helped save 2.96 million jobs and provided support to over 37,500 employers with financial assistance totaling RM20.9 billion.”
In the aviation sector, he said the Social Security Institution helped save 800 employees from losing job opportunities, providing a total of RM13 million in the wage subsidy program.