JAKARTA - Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation, known as PERKESO, gave employers until June 30 to register workers voluntarily after 14,428 foreign workers joined its 2026 Ops Pemutihan period, the agency said in a June 24 media statement.

The agency said 5,289 employers, 30,632 local workers and 14,428 foreign workers had registered since the programme began. It also waived 609 late-contribution notices involving new employers under Act 4 and Act 800, with exemptions totalling RM33,630.

Ops Pemutihan gives employers a final voluntary window before enforcement resumes. PERKESO said the extension took account of Aidiladha, Wesak Day, the official birthday of Malaysia’s king and the planned introduction of its upgraded ASSIST 2.0 portal.

“PERKESO will continue to guide employers in understanding the requirements of this scheme. After the Ops Pemutihan period ends on June 30, Ops Kesan will be intensified to ensure compliance with the provisions of the laws in force,” PERKESO’s group chief executive said.

Foreign-worker registration is part of Malaysia’s social security system, not only an administrative record. PERKESO’s foreign worker protection rules require employers to register eligible foreign workers and pay contributions under the relevant protection schemes.

Foreign workers covered by PERKESO must hold valid passports and valid work passes, including temporary employment visit passes, employment passes, special passes or other related passes. The agency’s foreign-worker page lists coverage under employment injury protection, invalidity protection and the Non-Employment Injury Scheme.

The June 30 cutoff also follows an expansion of worker coverage. From June 1, PERKESO’s Non-Employment Injury Scheme gives eligible workers 24-hour protection for accidents outside working hours and not directly related to their jobs.

Employers that stay outside the system may face compounds, late-contribution charges and prosecution. PERKESO’s enforcement guidance says offences under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 may carry a fine of up to RM10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Malaysia’s migrant workforce gives the deadline wider labour-market weight. The Department of Statistics Malaysia estimated the country had 3.38 million non-citizens in 2025, including 2.70 million people of working age. Its international migration report said employed non-citizens rose to 2.36 million in 2024.

Labour demand has also remained high. DOSM said Malaysia recorded 9.23 million jobs in the first quarter of 2026, with 194,800 vacancies.