KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-eight families of victims of the flood that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Aug 26 are eligible for benefits amounting to RM174,000 from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said PERKESO had screened 54 victims and found that 28 met the contribution requirements for benefits to be paid to their eligible next of kin.
He said the family members would receive an immediate financial assistance payment of RM3,000, and would also be eligible for Survivors' Pension under the Invalidity Scheme.
"The payment process will begin once the relevant information and documents have been completed," he said at the handover ceremony for benefits to 16 of the families at Menara PERKESO here on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Also present was PERKESO group chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Ramanan said PERKESO carried out thorough checks to ensure that no eligible beneficiaries were left out.
He also commended the agency's Prihatin Squad and its personnel for their swift efforts to trace the victims' next of kin and obtain the necessary information.
He urged family members who had yet to be contacted to come forward at the nearest PERKESO office.
For victims without contribution records, Ramanan said PERKESO would extend assistance by referring their details to 990 strategic partners, including 130 agencies, through its Social Synergy Programme.
"Social security protection is not merely a facility but a matter of social justice and a fundamental right of every worker, regardless of sector, type of employment, status or employer," he said.
