KUALA LUMPUR: Sugar-related ailments, such as diabetes, are costing the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) about US$100mil (RM421mil) in annual payouts.
The Human Resources Minister highlighted PERKESO’s efforts in actively addressing occupational safety and health matters, with a strong commitment to contributing to the prevention of workplace mishaps.
“We also conduct free medical checks to ensure our workers are happy. A low-sugar campaign was launched recently to address diabetes.
“Sugar and diabetes are costing PERKESO almost US$100mil a year in payouts and other benefits. We want to reduce incidents of accidents, disasters and occupational hazards even before they happen,” Steven Sim (pic) said at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) here yesterday.
He said this during a panel session at the WSSF Summit.
During the same session, Sim said he plans to table a new Bill aimed at providing round-the-clock protection to all workers in Malaysia.
“This not only deals with the issue of changing work hours, fatigue and stress after work, but also bridges the gap between those covered by private insurance and those not.
“Extending the 24-hour social security insurance to workers can resolve many different problems at the same time,” he said.
Other notable achievements, he said, include the extension of social security protection to homemakers, alongside the passage of legislation that provides social security protection to gig economy workers in Malaysia.
Sim added that full social security coverage has also been extended to all migrant workers in Malaysia.
Over the past decade, the minister stated that payouts to insured persons have increased by about 12%.
“We have also amended the law to increase payouts by up to 20% for insured persons.
“These are among the reforms we have introduced, ensuring no one is left behind.
“Together, we protect each other,” he said.
