PETALING JAYA: The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has officially launched the third edition of Festival Mega iLINDUNGu, allowing workers from various sectors to opt back into the Lindung 24 Jam protection scheme.
The initiative under the Human Resources Ministry brings government services directly to the public, ensuring that no one is left behind in terms of social protection, said PERKESO board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
“This programme is aimed at giving the public a better understanding of the social security protection benefits provided by PERKESO, while ensuring that every segment of society, whether salaried employees or self-employed individuals, is aware of their rights.”
The Lindung 24 Jam scheme, which came into effect on June 1, provides eligible employees with round-the-clock social security coverage for non-work-related accidents within the country, aligning with evolving work patterns.
He noted that the success of previous editions of the festival had encouraged the organisation to continue expanding the programme’s reach to more people across the country.
The event was officiated by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan at Strand Mall, Kota Damansara today.
He said that the social protections offered by the organisation greatly benefit its contributors and their families.
The three-day event, ending tomorrow, is expected to garner around 60,000 visitors.
A highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of contributions to the Lindung Kendiri scheme, with contributions from Foodpanda, Grab and Halo totalling about RM1.5mil, which will benefit 500 e-hailing drivers and delivery riders.
The venue’s courtyard was a flurry of greens, pinks and orange hues as delivery riders from various companies came together to celebrate the momentous occasion.
This marks the expansion of the organisation’s social security protection to cover gig workers and self-employed individuals.
For job seekers, 25 employers participated in the festival through MYFutureJobs, the employment platform under PERKESO, offering approximately 2,000 job vacancies with salaries ranging from RM2,000 to RM12,000.
Ramanan said PERKESO aims to move in tandem with its contributors by providing job-matching services, career counselling, reskilling opportunities and labour market insights through the platform.
“We want to ensure that contributors receive comprehensive support to help them get back on their feet and return to the workforce,” he said.
He said the platform not only provides individuals with access to employment opportunities, but also enables them to secure a livelihood and provide for their families.
Alongside the contributions for gig workers, 400 homemakers from the Sungai Buloh constituency will receive social protection through the Lindung Kasih scheme via a RM48,000 contribution by the organisation.
The festival, themed “Kesuma Bersama Rakyat”, allowed visitors to check their contribution records, seek advice on PERKESO benefits, register for its schemes, undergo health screenings and learn more about PERKESO’s services and protection programmes.
To assist attendees, the event featured an on-site Lindung 24 Jam opt-in counter, allowing workers who had previously opted out of the protection scheme to easily complete their re-registration on the spot throughout the festival.
The event brought together 11 agencies under Kesuma, including the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit, Human Resource Development Corporation, Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and Skills Development Fund Corporation, providing visitors with a one-stop platform for employment, skills development and worker welfare services.
The event also featured family-friendly activities, food stalls and a pickleball court to entertain visitors, along with celebrity appearances by Kamal Adli and Elly Mazlein.
