KUALA LUMPUR: All workers in Malaysia – including those in the gig economy and freelancers – will have social security protection outside working hours and on weekends under a new scheme.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Non-Workplace Accident Scheme (SKBBK) is urgently needed given the worrying accident rate among workers in the country and the increase of flexible working arrangements.
He said there were 85,529 such accidents recorded last year.
ALSO READ: SKBBK: 18 FINAL GOODBYES DAILY
“The scheme covers accidents that do not arise from and during work, or are not directly related to employment.
“The proposed scheme will cover accidents that occur in the country outside working hours, including on trips that are not work-related,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 5).
He added that the Cabinet had agreed to the proposed scheme under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and the relevant legislation will be tabled in Parliament this year.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) had asked the ministry to explain the mechanism of the scheme.
ALSO READ: PERKESO’s efforts to reduce workplace accidents show results
“This scheme by PERKESO is a social protection mechanism to address challenges of risks both work-related and outside working hours, especially for workers with flexible arrangements," Rahman said.
He said the ministry had discussed the scheme with stakeholders, including representatives from small and medium enterprises, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).
