Job Seeker Handbook

Malaysian Labour Law : Regulation of Employment

8. EPF

8.2 Contribute Towards the Fund

  • All employees in Malaysia who have reached the age of 16 and employed under a contract of service whether express or implied, and whether oral or in writing must be registered as a member of the Employees Provident Fund.
  • An employer will contribute 12% of the employee's wages and the employee contributes 11% of the monthly wages towards the employee's account.
  • Prior to 1st August 1998, expatriates and foreign workers were not required to contribute to the EPF although they may elect to do so.
  • However, with effect from 1st August 1998, all foreign workers and expatriates earning less than RM2,500 per month are also required to contribute to EPF with the exception of certain categories.
  • Those who are exempted from making the compulsory contribution are :
    • employees or workers holding Employment Pass or expatriates holding Visit Pass (Temporary Employment) whose monthly wages is not less than RM2,500
    • Thai workers who enter Malaysia with a Territorial Pass
    • Seamen
    • Foreign domestic maids
    • Self-employed persons
    • Out-workers who do cleaning and alteration repair works
    • Persons detained in custody, in prison, Henry Gurney School and mental hospital
    • Pensioners
  • Nevertheless, the above can choose to contribute to the fund.
  • Where a member continues employment after withdrawing the contributions upon retirement, such member may opt to continue contributing to the EPF by submitting the KWSP 20/20A Form.
  • The statutory rates of contributions are as follows :
      % of contributions of employees' wages
      Employer Employee
    All except expatriates and foreign workers 12% 11%
    Expatriates and foreign workers (except those excluded) RM5 per person 11%
  • Employers and employees are, however, allowed to elect to contribute at higher rates.

<< 8.1 What is Employment Provident Fund (EPF)? | 8.3 The Procedure to Register An Employee With The EPF >>