One million self-employed to get Socso insurance, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: Some one million self-employed individuals will receive insurance coverage under Socso, with 80% of the contribution borne by the government.

Announcing this on Sunday (May 1), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) also said childcare services for the public sector, including state governments as well as statutory bodies, will be made compulsory.

To honour workers for their contribution to nation-building, the Prime Minister also said a vehicle insurance financing programme would be made available, where up to 10 months of interest-free instalments could be made.

“We are confident that the Malaysian Family workforce will remain resilient and continue to play its role as a strategic partner in the development of the country,” he said in a televised message in conjunction with Labour Day.

This year’s celebration is themed “Workers are the Malaysian Family’s Pillars in National Recovery”.

The Prime Minister said the RM1,500 minimum wage, which takes effect Sunday, was a gift to the workforce for its dedication and commitment that has helped in building the nation.

On insurance protection for the self-employed, the Prime Minister said this would be through the Socso under the self-employed social security scheme.

He said the policy on childcare centres will be also extended to the private sector later, pointing out that the government had provided annual grants of RM30mil since 2020 for this initiative to ease the burden of workers with young children.

On the vehicle insurance financing programme, Ismail Sabri explained that the MyEzCover.com programme begins on May 1 and will be offered to civil servants.

The facility will be extended to private-sector workers later, he added.

It will be implemented by the Human Resources Ministry together with Socso and the Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa).

The Prime Minister said the reopening of borders has provided the opportunity to hire foreign workers for certain sectors, particularly in the 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) sector.

“However, this does not mean we are turning our back on local workers.

“A comprehensive mechanism is being drawn up to reduce dependency on foreign workers so that the local workforce is given priority,” he added.

The Human Resources Ministry has been directed to look into this so that local workers be given more benefits such as better salaries, employment packages and career advancement opportunities.

Ismail Sabri also stressed the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of workers, both locals and foreigners, on the matter of forced labour.

“Malaysia ratifying the International Labour Organisation’s forced labour convention known as Protocol 29 is proof of the government’s commitment to eliminate forced labour in the country.

“This is our proactive measure to ensure Malaysian goods and products will no longer face restrictions to enter international markets following claims of forced labour,” he said.