Workers in misery now, need EPF funds - electric workers union

 

The Electrical Industry Workers' Union (EIWU) urged the government to allow the withdrawal of Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions from Account 1 to ease the burden of Malaysian workers suffering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

EIWU shares the views of several non-government agencies, political parties and academicians in voicing out full support for the proposed withdrawal of EPF funds from Account 1 by the affected workers, said the union's general secretary Md Zaini Md Yusof in a statement today.

"It is undeniable that the most affected workers are from B40 and M40 groups who are suffering due to job losses.

"Although government assistance, such as the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) and the Employment Insurance System (EIS) are being channelled to lighten the burden of the workers involved, it is proving of little help to lighten a great burden," he said.

Md Zaidi acknowledged the statement of EPF chief executive officer Tunku Alizakri Alias who said that larger problems could arise in the future if its members are allowed to access their Account 1 savings to address the challenges they face due to Covid-19.

"The statement issued by the CEO of EPF that the government has provided a lot of direct assistance through Prihatin, Prihatin SME+, Penjana and Kita Prihatin is irrelevant and does not respond to the issues raised," said Md Zaidi.

He said that while Tunku Alizakri was concerned about the future well-being of workers, the EIWU would like to question whether the welfare protection of workers at present is guaranteed.

"If the workers' funds in the EPF are not able to help the misery of life experienced by the targeted group now, what is the point of the EPF emphasising the future of members?"

"The fact is that workers' homes may be auctioned off, the cost of living is threatening them, their vehicles will be repossessed, and eventually their health will deteriorate either physically or psychologically due to the effects of misery," he said.

Md Zaidi added that EPF's revelation that members withdrew more than RM 11 billion from Account 2 through the means of i-Lestari programme since April 2020 proved claims that employees are particularly affected by this pandemic.

He said that it was ridiculous to deny workers access to their own funds at a time when they might take desperate steps by borrowing from loan sharks. - Mkini