THE federal government is studying how to deal with a provision in the Employees’ Provident Fund Act barring members’ contributions from being assigned or transferred.

Section 51 is now in the way of the Pakatan Harapan federal government’s plan to start a 2% EPF scheme for housewives without fixed incomes. The 2% comes from the 11% contributed by their husbands through their pay.

Section 51 states that no sum deducted from an EPF member’s wages is assignable, transferable, liable to be attached, sequestered or levied upon for any debt or claim. 

The official assignee is also not entitled to nor has any claim to the money.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Section 51 basically meant the husbands’ contributions cannot be touched.

“I had a meeting with EPF and Socso earlier today. We have to see how to overcome this hurdle to start the scheme immediately.

“There are some husbands who voluntarily make contributions into their wives’ EPF but the government wants to standardise this.

“This will incur some costs so we will also have to go through the Finance Ministry,” she told reporters during a visit to Kg Baru in Sg Kob, Kulim.

The housewives’ EPF scheme was part of PH’s 100-day election manifesto.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also women and family development minister, was visiting storm victims in the area. She also handed over aid to the victims. – May 31, 2018.