KUALA LUMPUR: Conversations surrounding the evolution of social security coverage to serve a rapidly evolving work landscape took centrestage at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025.
Government leaders discussed evolving social security amid shifting work landscapes, focusing on turning challenges like ageing populations and technological change into equitable, sustainable protection.
Weighing in, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the evolution of jobs meant that more people would be outside the traditional notion of employment.
This, he said, makes it harder for social security agencies to distinguish between working hours and non-working hours.
“It also cannot be said that a person is only covered during certain hours as employees can also bring home stress and fatigue induced at the workplace,” he said, adding that this may lead to unwanted incidents.
To this, Sim said there are plans to table a Bill that will allow round the clock social security protection for all workers in Malaysia.
“This not only deals with the issue of shifting work hours, fatigue or stress after work, but also helps bridge the gap between those who have private insurance coverage and those who do not.
“By extending 24-hour social security insurance to workers, we are resolving many different problems at the same time.”
“We are also aiming to cut this down to an hour. It previously took 40 days and it has since been reduced to seven days owing to technological and digital advancements.
“We have all sorts of facilities and policies but the real test of our situation is in how fast and effective it can be delivered to the people,” he said, adding that they are also targeting to reduce the duration of processing dialysis applications at PERKESO.
Sim was speaking at a panel session during the World Social Security Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) yesterday.
The session featured social security leaders from around the world and was moderated by International Social Security Association (ISSA) president and PERKESO group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
At WSSF’s closing ceremony, India received the ISSA Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Security 2025, recognising its efforts to extend coverage to both formal and informal workers.
The award was presented to India’s Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Certificates of Excellence were also awarded to 19 social security institutions from 14 countries for successfully implementing ISSA Guidelines in key areas of social security administration.
Malaysia also continues to remain at the helm of global social security leadership as PERKESO’s Dr Mohammed Azman was reelected as ISSA president.
He secured a second term with resounding global mandate from ISSA member institutions nationwide.
Dr Mohammed Azman was previously elected as the 17th ISSA president during the WSSF 2022 in Morocco.
“The path ahead is fraught with urgent challenges including climate shocks that destabilise livelihoods, rapid population ageing that strains health systems and social services, and the rise of new forms of work undermining traditional contributory models.
“These issues are widening inequalities and risks of exclusion, alongside mounting challenges in protecting migrant workers and ensuring the portability of their benefits across borders.
“At the same time, social security systems face the critical test of maintaining sustainable financing in a volatile global economy, as ageing populations, rising healthcare costs and global uncertainties continue to put pressure on resources,” he said.
Dr Mohammed Azman underscored that the task ahead is not only to protect but also to empower, by building global cooperation so that no one is left behind in a rapidly changing world.
The five-day WSSF 2025, held from Sept 29 to Oct 3, established Kuala Lumpur as a global hub for social protection dialogue. Organised by ISSA, it was co-hosted by PERKESO and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), with support from Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) or KWAP, and the implementation coordination unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM).
The summit’s theme was “Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition.”
