Kula: More self-employed sectors to be included in Socso

KALUMPANG: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) scheme for the self-employed will be extended to other informal sectors next year, said Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran (pic).

Those involved in agriculture and fisheries sectors as well as in small businesses and the arts will come under the scheme, he added.

“All types of jobs including the self-employed are exposed to accident risk. It is unfortunate if these self-employed do not have insurance coverage in the event of mishaps or accidents, ” he said.

Kulasegaran said Socso has introduced the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 to provide social protection to the self-employed, against employment injuries caused by accidents or occupational diseases during their work-related activities.

Initially, the Act is enforced on self-employed drivers of taxis, rental cars, e-hailing and private buses.

As of Oct 7 this year, 54,130 drivers of taxis, rental cars, e-hailing and private buses have registered with Socso.

“The documentation for this extension to those sectors are currently being handled by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, ” he said after attending the Socso Deepavali celebration 2019 held at MySkills Foundation here.

Kulasegaran added that since Ops Patuh was launched between Aug 1 and Sept 30,1, 534 visits have been made to taxi stands and terminals, as well as rental cars, and e-hailing spots nationwide, while 739 warning notices had been issued to those who did not comply with the Act, including for not registering and not contributing to Socso.

Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said contributions by the self-employed ranged between RM157.20 and RM592.80 for each individual a year.