All workers in Malaysia, including gig economy workers and freelancers, will soon receive social security coverage outside of working hours and on weekends under a new scheme.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Non-Workplace Accident Scheme (SKBBK) was introduced in response to the rising number of accidents involving workers and the growing trend of flexible working arrangements. He highlighted that a total of 85,529 such accidents were recorded last year, underscoring the urgent need for this initiative.

“The scheme covers accidents that do not arise from and during work, or are not directly related to employment. The proposed scheme will cover accidents that occur in the country outside working hours, including on trips that are not work-related,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

He further stated that the Cabinet had approved the scheme under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), and the necessary legislation would be tabled in Parliament this year.

The announcement was made in response to a query from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), who sought clarification on the scheme’s mechanism.

“This scheme by PERKESO is a social protection mechanism to address challenges of risks both work-related and outside working hours, especially for workers with flexible arrangements,” Rahman explained.

He added that the ministry had engaged with various stakeholders to discuss the scheme, including representatives from small and medium enterprises, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC), and the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs).

(Source: The Star)

• TAGS:
• Abdul Rahman Mohamad
• Cabinet
• Dewan Rakyat
• Gig Workers
• Non-Workplace Accident Scheme
• Parliament
• PERKESO
• Protection
• SKBBK
• Social Security
• Social Security Organisation
• Wee Ka Siong