PEOPLE.IDEAS.PERFORMANCE

112 moderate fund and conservative fund.These funds differ in risk levels and investment arenas (Securities Commission Malaysia, 2012). Disappointingly,Zabri, Ahmad andHui (2016) whostudied the awareness of PRS among private sector employees in Malaysia shows that the level of awareness towards PRS is still low. Nonetheless, 77% of those that aware about this scheme have an interest to invest.This indicates potential growth of PRS in Malaysia. &$6( 678'< (03/2<(( %(1(),76 3$&.$*(6 ,1 0$/$<6,$1 7285,60 ,1'8675< This section compares the employee benefits packages offered by four companies in tourism (hospitality) industry. The tourism industry emerged as the second-largest revenue generator for the Malaysian economy after the manufacturing industry(Business Wire, 2012). Malaysia is among the highest tourism visited every year because of currency, weather, interesting place, safety environment and friendly people. Because of that, the hospitality industry is expected to continue with good result for the Malaysian economy. Malaysia enjoys a strong position in global tourism and was ranked the ninth most visited countries in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2011. Malaysia's tourism sector is one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). It has been identified as one of the contributing prime sector in the Malaysian economy. By 2020, Malaysia’s tourism industry is projected to provide an incremental contribution of RM66.7 billion to the national GNI (Performance Management and Delivery Unit, 2012). Thus, it is important to ensure sufficient workforce to support the growth. However, there is a common misconception that the tourism industry has high turnover and with little employee benefits. Three hotels located in Kedah are selected as case studies to explore the employee benefits packages offered. The hotels are Bustani Hotel, the Leverage Hotel and Grand Alora Hotel. %XVWDQL +RWHO is located in Jitra, a small town which is about 15 kilometers away from the city centre. It has been operating for 5 years. The hotel is recognized as a 2-star hotel (Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, 2017). Bustani Hotel employed 32 staff and is managed by Seleksi Bahagia Sdn Bhd. (SBSB). 7KH /HYHUDJH %XVLQHVV +RWHO is located in Alor Setar, the capital city of Kedah. It is a boutique-business hotel and is recognized as a 3-star hotel. The hotel was established in the year 2009 and offers 100 rooms. 7KH *UDQG $ORUD +RWHO is also located in Alor Setar. The hotel started its operation in the year 2013 and offers 235 rooms. It is recognized as a 5-star hotel. All hotels provide the legally required EB to their employees as they are mandated by law. Employees have retirement benefits through EPF and disability benefits through SOCSO. The discretionary benefits vary between the hotels. Table 2 compares the discretionary benefits offered by all hotels. In terms of protection program, all hotels provide medical benefits for employees. However, for Bustani Hotel, this benefit is restricted to top management only. With regards to accommodation and enhancement benefits, some hotel provides free foods while on duty and discount on room and hotel facilities. In addition, the Grand Alora Hotel provides training for their employees. In conclusion, the employee benefits offered at all hotels are satisfactory. All hotels comply with the legally required benefits and provide some discretionary benefits. These extra benefits are imperative for them to retain their most important asset - the human capital that is a vital component in the hotel business. Hoteliers must adopt a proactive strategy in managing the EB plans, which is heavily related to managing the human resources of the