EIS Amendments 2026: Key Updates from 1 October
Malaysia's Employment Insurance System (EIS) introduced several changes on 1 October 2026, including higher benefits for eligible employees who lose their jobs and a new RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance.
But employers should also prepare for another change. From 2 January 2027, new rules will require employers to notify PERKESO about job vacancies before hiring. Here's what has changed and what Malaysian businesses need to know.
What has changed under EIS in 2026?
The Employment Insurance System (Amendment) Act 2026 introduces changes in two stages:
1 October 2026: Enhanced EIS benefits, including higher training support and the new Mobility Assistance Allowance.
2 January 2027: New employment services provisions, including mandatory vacancy reporting under Section 45F.
The changes are intended to provide better support for employees who lose their jobs while strengthening employment services and job-matching efforts in Malaysia.
New EIS benefits from 1 October 2026
Eligible EIS claimants can now receive higher benefits under the revised regulations:
EIS benefit | Previous | From 1 October 2026 |
Early Re-employment Allowance | 25% of remaining Job Search Allowance | 50% |
Training Fee | Up to RM4,000 | Up to RM7,000 |
Training Allowance | RM10–RM20 per day | RM30 per day |
Mobility Assistance Allowance | Not available | RM1,000 one-off |
The revised benefits apply to eligible job losses from 1 October 2026, subject to PERKESO's requirements.
One notable addition is the RM1,000 Mobility Assistance Allowance, which supports eligible EIS claimants who secure new employment at least 100 km from their residence.
To claim this benefit, eligible employees must submit Form SIPF 1A and the supporting documents required by PERKESO, including their new employment offer or contract and confirmation from the new employer. Payment is subject to PERKESO confirming that the claimant has reported for duty.
For employers, understanding these changes can help HR teams guide employees affected by qualifying job losses towards the support available. For more background, see our Employer Guide to the Employment Insurance System (EIS).
What is the new PERKESO vacancy reporting requirement?
From 2 January 2027, Section 45F introduces a requirement for employers to notify PERKESO when they have a job vacancy or new position to fill.
Notify PERKESO in writing before hiring an employee to fill a vacancy or new position.
Notify PERKESO within seven days after the vacancy or position has been filled.
For example, if your company plans to hire an Accounts Executive, the new requirement means PERKESO must be notified of the vacancy before the position is filled. Once someone is hired and the position is filled, PERKESO must be notified again within seven days.
The requirement is intended to improve the visibility of available jobs and support employment matching.
Does this apply to SMEs?
The new provision is relevant to employers, including small and medium-sized businesses. However, the government has acknowledged concerns about the additional administrative work involved, particularly for smaller employers. Possible exemptions have been discussed, but businesses should not assume that all SMEs are automatically exempt.
PERKESO previously announced a transitional moratorium of up to two years, with awareness programmes and phased implementation to help employers prepare. Employers should distinguish between when the law comes into effect and when penalties may be enforced, while continuing to follow PERKESO's latest guidance.
How will employers report job vacancies to PERKESO?
PERKESO has identified MYFutureJobs as the intended platform for vacancy notification. MYFutureJobs is Malaysia's national employment portal, where employers can already advertise vacancies and manage recruitment activities.
Step 1: Register your company
Visit the MYFutureJobs website and register for an employer account. Complete the required company information and follow the account activation instructions.
Step 2: Create a job vacancy
Once your account is active, use the employer portal to create a vacancy. Prepare the job title, location, job description, salary and other relevant employment details.
Step 3: Manage your recruitment
Employers can manage vacancies and applications through MYFutureJobs while continuing their usual recruitment activities.
Step 4: Follow the confirmed vacancy notification procedure
Under Section 45F, employers will also need to notify PERKESO within seven days after a position is filled. However, PERKESO has not yet fully clarified whether posting a vacancy on MYFutureJobs automatically fulfils the new notification requirement, or how employers should report a filled position.
For now, these are the existing MYFutureJobs recruitment steps, not a confirmed Section 45F compliance procedure. Employers should check PERKESO's latest instructions before relying on them to meet the new legal requirement.
What are the penalties for not reporting a vacancy?
Section 45F introduces progressive penalties for employers who fail to notify PERKESO before hiring:
Offence | Maximum fine |
First offence | RM1,000 |
Second offence | RM3,000 |
Third or subsequent offence | RM5,000 |
These are maximum fines upon conviction, not automatic penalties for every missed notification. The government has also indicated that education and corrective action will be prioritised before prosecution. Employers should nevertheless prepare for the new requirement rather than assume the transitional arrangements remove their responsibilities.
What should employers do now?
Set up MYFutureJobs: Register an employer account and familiarise yourself with its vacancy management features.
Review your hiring process: Identify who handles job postings, recruitment updates and onboarding.
Keep recruitment records: Record when vacancies are opened and when positions are filled.
Monitor PERKESO updates: Look out for further instructions on vacancy notifications, exemptions and enforcement arrangements.
For businesses that manage recruitment across multiple departments, having a clear internal process will make it easier to track vacancies and avoid missed updates. Explore our Free HR Resources for practical employer tools.
Conclusion
The EIS amendments in 2026 introduce improved benefits for eligible employees and new vacancy reporting responsibilities for employers.
With Section 45F taking effect in January 2027, employers should start reviewing their recruitment processes and familiarising themselves with MYFutureJobs while awaiting further guidance from PERKESO.
Need help managing PERKESO contributions, payroll deductions or other statutory HR requirements? Synergy Outsourcing is here to help.
To learn more about how we can support your HR needs, call 📞 +6 010-277 0718 or email 📩 info@synergy-outsourcing.com.
