SIMANGGANG: A business owner supplying fertilizers and agricultural tools was fined RM4,000 in default four months imprisonment for not reporting an accident involving an employee to the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) promptly.
Magistrate A Akhiruddin Acho handed down the sentence following the 48-year-old’s admission of guilt under Regulation 71(1) and (4)(b), Workers’ Social Security (General) Regulations 1971 for failing to promptly submit an accident report involving his employee to SOCSO.
The offence carries an imprisonment for a term of up to two years or a fine up to RM10,000 or both.
In this case, the owner was found to have only submitted a report regarding the accident involving his employee to SOCSO on Feb 16, 2022, despite having received notification of the accident from the employee’s next of kin on Feb 6, 2022.
The case was investigated by the SOCSO’s Sri Aman Benefits Branch investigating officer Zamari Rajali Rajak, and prosecuted by the Sarawak SOCSO Prosecution Unit. The owner appeared in court without legal counsel.
Following this, SOCSO hoped that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to employers to fulfil their responsibilities by promptly reporting accidents involving employees, which mandates reporting within 48 hours of notification.
This matter is in line with the requirements of Regulation 71(1) and (4)(b), Employees’ Social Security (General) Regulations 1971 where, the employer must report the accident to SOCSO within 48 hours of notification to them.
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the rights and social security protection of employees and their dependents are safeguarded.
SOCSO assured that they are committed to upholding the law so that the welfare of workers and their dependents continues to be protected.
