MELAKA: Taxi and e-hailing drivers should not perceive the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme, effective since June 1, as a burden, says Datuk Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
The Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive officer said they only needed to set aside 40 sen a day in order to make a minimum annual contribution of RM157.20.
“This paltry sum is less than the price of a stick of cigarette,” he told reporters afer handing over financial aid to the first beneficiary under the scheme at the Melaka Sentral Terminal yesterday.
Dr Mohammed Azman said all taxi and e-hailing drivers, including those working part-time, should view the scheme as a protection plan.
He said contributors and their family members would stand to gain in the event of an accident.
“I was told that there is still lukewarm response to the scheme,” he said. “To date, only 576 out of almost 90,000 self-employed drivers have signed up.”
Dr Mohammed Azman said Socso officers would go to the ground to encourage them to register.
“In fact, it is an offence if the drivers fail to register and contribute to the scheme,” he added.
Taxi driver Ali Ibrahim, 65, was the first to benefit from the scheme. He received RM960 under the scheme’s temporary disability benefits.
On July 8, he suffered four broken toes after being hit by a car while walking to his taxi at Melaka Sentral.
The mandatory scheme, which is run under a RM60mil special grant from the Government, provides cash benefits to contributors and their dependants in case of an accident, medical care, physical rehabilitation or vocational training.
Other features include funeral benefits and education loan.
Taxi and e-hailing drivers can register through www.perkeso.gov.my or at Socso branch offices nationwide.
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