CUEPACS AGAINST EPF MOVE

The Sunday Daily

Posted on 22 April 2015 - 08:52pm
Last updated on 22 April 2015 - 09:14pm

Zaim Zamani

KUALA LUMPUR: The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Civil Service (Cuepacs) is totally against the Employees Provident Fund’s (EPF) decision to increase the age limit for a full savings withdrawal.

Its president Datuk Azih Muda said the proposal by EPF to increase the withdrawal age from 55 to 60 was not only criticised by the general public, but by civil servants as well.

According to Azih, the proposal was made by EPF's management, but was yet to be agreed to by the EPF board members.

“I wonder why the management announced to increase the full savings withdrawal age and even conduct a survey without first discussing with the board members,” he added.

Speaking at a press conference today, Azih urged EPF to quickly solve this issue as it will only add further pressure to the government.

Azih said one of the reasons Cuepacs did not agree with the idea proposed by EPF was because it will affect those with low salaries.

“Nowadays, employees have to compete with economic issues and the high cost of living and this idea will just pressure them more,” he told the media.

“If they are not given permission to withdraw their money at the age of 55, it will affect their cost of living at that moment and this should be taken seriously,” he added.

Azih said if EPF really wanted to discuss the people’s fund, they should establish a joint consultative council between workers, employers and the EPF.

“If they want to make a decision, it must be a collective decision and not just by one party because this involves people's money,” he added.