20 JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG?

CONCERN..... Socso enforcement officers talking to the construction workers who have not been registered with the organisation.

By : PETER BOON

SIBU: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) here yesterday found some 20 daily waged workers of a construction site not covered under its social security scheme.

Socso Sibu Branch Manager, Dundang Undong believed this could be just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ as this was the first construction site here checked under nationwide ‘Ops Kesan Perkeso 2012’.

He described the find as worrying since the construction sector was classified as a high risk industry.

Dundang said: “Our concern is that as they are not registered with the organisation, the affected workers and their family will suffer if there is a workplace accident. What happens to the family if there is a fatality?

“Employers should make it a point to voluntarily register their workers and not wait until we knock on their door as by then, they could be compounded.”

“It is mandatory for employers to register with Socso and make monthly contributions for their employees, whether they are working full-time or on a daily paid basis.

“This is accordance with Section 3 (1) of Employee’s Social Security Act, 1969. Errant employers could be fined not more than RM10,000 or sentenced to two years’ jail, or both upon conviction.”

Dundang led a team of more than 20 enforcement officers in the operation yesterday.

He also warned that the principal (project owner) would be liable in the event of any accidents if the contractors had failed to register the workers with the organisation.

Meanwhile, when interviewed by Socso officers, the workers were overheard saying they were not aware of the need to be registered with Socso.

They were also not aware that it was compulsory for their immediate employers to register them with the organisation.

It was learned that these workers were mainly from the outskirts of town and move from one project site to another.

A foreman, who asked not to be identified, revealed that the workers were each paid about RM30 daily. (BP)