Sim: One million self-employed contributors target within reach

Steven Sim launching the workshop on Empowering Job Seekers Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries at Hotel Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur on July 8. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The Human Resources Ministry is confident that the target of one million active contributors under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) by the end of this year will be reached.

Its minister Steven Sim (pic) said the ministry hopes to reach the target thanks to various efforts and awareness campaigns currently running nationwide.

He said as of now, there are more than 800,000 active con­­tri­butors nationwide under the sche­me, and that number is expected to increase in the near future.

“The goal is for it to reach more people especially those who are self-employed.

“It is a social benefit offered by the government.

“If there is any accident or any incident, contributors can claim and have coverage in the form of compensation, pension, medical and rehabilitation care.

“It is important and that is why we want to promote it,” he told the press after attending the briefing session for representatives from various non-Islamic houses of worship in Penang, about the SKSPS benefits under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) at the Penang Harmony Centre here yesterday.

Sim said that PERKESO has been carrying out programmes for those who fall under Islamic institutions and it was now reaching out to non-Islamic places of worship.

He said last year there were 348 individuals from non-Islamic houses of worship who had star­ted contributing to the scheme.

“This year, from January to June, we have 342 new individuals contributing to it.

Earlier during the event, Sim under his ministerial portfolio, sponsored contributions for 200 individuals (RM46,560) from several non-Islamic places of worship in Penang.

“We hope this will spur more people under this sector to come forward to contribute.

“It comes up to RM232 a year, which is about 60sen a day.

“It is important that they know they can be protected under this scheme,” he said.

Sim then shared in his speech that mutual respect for each other’s cultures and using our diversity as our strength is of utmost importance.

“What is special about Malay­sians is that we can work toget­her. Our diversity is our strength.

“Regardless of our religious beliefs and differences, we are united. As the leaders of non-Islamic places of worship here you have a role to play to ensure that our community can live in peace with each other,” he said.