Malaysia to improve social security scheme for self-employed

Improving the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) Act 2017 in Malaysia, with a focus on widening coverage of unforeseen circumstances for those who are self-employed, is imperative, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Mustapha Sakmud.

The matter is being studied by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 and Employment Insurance System Act 2017, as well as other relevant regulations.

“As of November 10, a total of 793,116 self-employed individuals are actively contributing under SKSPS and 4,334 claims have been approved amounting to RM 24.69 million (US $5.27 million)”, said Mustapha during question time in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of the bicameral Parliament, which is the federal legislature of Malaysia. “The Housewife Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), on the other hand, has 197,893 contributors, with 322 claims made totalling RM 849,081 (US $18,1292.38) as of November 5.”

The deputy minister said this in response to queries issued by Datuk Awang Solahuddin bin Hashim of Pendang, and Khoo Poay Tiong of Kota Melaka, both Members of Parliament (MP) in Malaysia. Both MPs were asking on the achievements of the SKSPS and SKSSR programmes, and the latest approaches taken to increase the number of contributors.

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Deputy Minister Mustapha also concluded that the ministry is also actively working to raise awareness about the importance of social security protection among the self-employed, especially those in the gig industry, reported Free Malaysia Today.