What PERKESO does after job loss
The agency that pays job loss support, which is separate from your dismissal claim.
Many workers first meet the name PERKESO after losing a job. It has been involved in their employment the whole time, through their payslip contributions.
What it means
PERKESO is the Social Security Organisation. This government body runs Malaysia’s employment-related social security schemes, including support for workers who lose their jobs involuntarily.
It is separate from the Industrial Relations Department, which is the office that decides whether a dismissal was fair.
Why it matters to you
One scheme PERKESO runs is the Employment Insurance System. It pays a Job Search Allowance for three to six months to eligible workers, and the claim window is 60 days from termination.1
That timeline runs alongside the separate 60-day deadline for challenging an unfair dismissal. If both apply to you, watch both.
What else does this body handle
PERKESO also runs schemes for workplace injury and long-term incapacity. These are different from job loss assistance.
If your job ended through retrenchment, check your EIS eligibility. Do that alongside the question of whether the redundancy was genuine.
For the dismissal itself, confirm your filing window on the deadline calculator, separately from anything you claim through PERKESO.
If a PERKESO matter came up alongside your dismissal and you are weighing a claim, an independent lawyer can review what happened. They can handle the claim if it is worth pursuing.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.
Common questions
Is PERKESO the same office that handles my dismissal claim?
No. PERKESO runs social security and job loss support schemes. Your unfair dismissal claim is handled separately by the Director General of Industrial Relations.
Do I need to contact PERKESO myself, or does my employer do it?
Employers generally handle ongoing contributions while you are employed. Claiming benefits after job loss, such as under the Employment Insurance System, is something you typically apply for yourself.
Sources
- The Employment Insurance System gives temporary financial help, including a Job Search Allowance for three to six months, to employees who lose their jobs involuntarily, and a claim must be lodged within 60 days of termination. malaysia.gov.my, Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS)
Keep reading
If a PERKESO matter came up alongside your dismissal and you are weighing a claim, an independent lawyer can review what happened. They can handle the claim if it is worth pursuing.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.