Kula: Only one in five public transport drivers contributing to Socso

SUBANG JAYA: Only one in five taxi, bus and e-hailing drivers is contributing to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) as of January this year, says Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran.

He said while the numbers had been increasing for the Self-Employed Employment Injury Scheme (SEEIS), it wasn't satisfactory.

"Malaysians should realise that for such a minimum payment, you get big coverage.

"Don't think about yourself (only), think about your family and other people," he told reporters after the launch of a forum on employment law reforms on Thursday (Jan 9).

Of the estimated 250,000 drivers who came under the scheme, only 46,162 – 16,783 taxi drivers, 26,506 e-hailing drivers, and 2,873 bus drivers – were registered under the scheme.

Kulasegaran said there had beem instances of families coming to them after the death of a worker, but they couldn't be helped as there was no contribution by the worker.

The Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789), which came into effect on June 1,2017, mandates that these drivers, whether they work full-time or part-time, to register under SEEIS.

The minimum contribution for the SEEIS is just RM13.10 a month or 43 sen a day, while the maximum contribution is at RM49.35 a month or RM1.60 a day.

When asked why the sign-up rate was low, Kulasegaran sid he believed it was due to the lack of awareness.

Socso had said that it would be launching an operation in August to compel self-employed taxi, bus and e-hailing drivers to register under the SEEIS.

"It should be 100%, but we don't want to take them to court per se. We are now engaging with them all around the country," said Kulasegaran.

He added that they would consider suggestions that Dego Ride and GrabBike riders also be included in the scheme.

"My dream is for all the workers in the country to be protected by Socso," he said, adding that they were considering to extend the coverage to all other sectors.