As 2025 comes to an end, SOCSO (PERKESO) has announced an important new compliance requirement for employers in Malaysia.
Hiring is no longer just about interviews and onboarding — employers must now notify SOCSO of job vacancies before hiring, and notify again once the position is filled. Failure to comply may lead to fines of up to RM10,000.

This new requirement is part of SOCSO’s effort to improve labour market transparency, support job matching, and ensure accurate workforce data nationwide. A phased implementation and a two-year awareness period will be rolled out to help employers adapt.

Below is a clear and concise breakdown for HR teams and business owners.

1. Before Hiring: Employers Must Notify SOCSO of Any Job Vacancy

Under the new SOCSO update, employers must inform SOCSO in writing about any job vacancy before hiring a new employee.

This applies to all types of positions, including full-time, part-time, contract, and temporary roles.

What employers must do:

• Submit a vacancy notification to SOCSO

• Provide basic job details (position title, department, job scope, etc.)

• Notify before interviews or recruitment decisions begin

This step ensures SOCSO has a complete and updated record of available job opportunities nationwide.

2. During Hiring: SOCSO May Use Your Job Advertisements

SOCSO is now authorised to collect job advertisement details that employers publish on:

• newspapers

• online job portals

• social media

• company website

These job ads may be republished on SOCSO’s employment platform for job seekers.

This does not create extra work for employers, but it ensures job seekers using SOCSO platforms have wider access to available vacancies.

3. After Hiring: Notify SOCSO Within 7 Days Once the Position Is Filled

After the role has been successfully filled, employers must notify SOCSO within 7 days.

Why this matters:

• SOCSO can update the vacancy status

• Prevents duplicate job listings

• Ensures SOCSO’s labour market data remains accurate

This requirement applies to all employers, regardless of company size.

4. Penalties for Non-Compliance

SOCSO takes this requirement seriously.

⚠️ Any employer who fails to comply may be fined up to RM10,000.

This includes failing to:

• notify SOCSO before hiring

• notify SOCSO after the position is filled

• provide accurate hiring information

Employers should ensure their HR processes are updated to include SOCSO notifications as part of the hiring workflow.

5. When Will This Take Effect?

The official enforcement date has not been announced yet.
SOCSO has stated that:

• Implementation will be phased

• There will be a two-year transition and awareness period

• More detailed guidelines will be announced by the government

Employers are encouraged to start preparing internal processes now to avoid last-minute compliance issues.

What Employers Should Do Now

To stay compliant and prepare your HR team:

1. Update your recruitment SOP to include SOCSO vacancy notifications

2. Assign HR personnel to manage SOCSO reporting

3. Keep records of all vacancy posts and hiring decisions

4. Monitor SOCSO and government announcements for the official start date

Final Thoughts

Hiring in Malaysia is evolving, and employers must stay informed.
The new SOCSO job vacancy notification requirement aims to support national employment transparency — but employers must adapt their processes to avoid costly penalties.

Pandahrms will continue delivering up-to-date HR insights to help companies remain compliant and efficient.