A total of 78,129 employers started making the mandatory EPF contributions for 1,754,460 foreign workers after the policy took effect in October 2025. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: The government has defended the mandatory 2% EPF contribution for foreign workers, saying this balances between ensuring social security for migrant workers and accounting for the costs borne by employers.
Finance minister Anwar Ibrahim said the 2% contribution by employers, which came into effect in October 2025, was relatively low.
Nonetheless, he said this was part of the government's efforts to expand social protection to all workers in Malaysia, in line with international practices.
"This is aimed at providing basic savings for migrant workers who also contribute to our economy, ensuring all workers in Malaysia obtain social protection regardless of nationality, and upholding the principle of fairness and inclusivity in the national retirement system," he said.
