Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan has announced that the Housewife Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) will be made available starting from 1 December 2022. 

Through this voluntary scheme, housewives below the age of 55 will be able to enjoy Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) coverage with a contribution of RM10 per month. The scheme requires husbands who sign up to make contributions on behalf of their wives, paying RM120 (per housewife) in advance to SOCSO for a 12-month coverage. Alternatively, housewives can also choose to make their own contributions. 

Datuk Seri Saravanan further noted that the SKSSR scheme is currently provided only for housewives. He remarked that the government will conduct a study on extending the scheme to househusbands as well. 

“This matter has already been raised in the Cabinet. If we were to follow the culture in Malaysia, the majority of men are in the working class,” Datuk Seri Saravanan said, adding that the government will have no issues extending the scheme to househusbands if the need arises. 

The minister also reiterated that SKSSR is a voluntary scheme; husbands are not compelled to contribute for their wives. He stressed, however, that those who do sign up but fail to maintain the contribution will be fined a penalty of RM10,000. This is unless they inform SOCSO ahead of time as to why they are unable to continue contributing to the scheme. “For example, maybe they have lost their source of income or a divorce took place, then they can come forward within 60 days to be exempted,” he explained.

The SKSSR scheme was tabled last month under the Housewives’ Social Security Bill, and was passed in the Dewan Rakyat a week after. The scheme provides a range of benefits, including up to RM50,000 coverage for physical rehabilitation, up to RM30,000 benefit for permanent disability, and RM200 monthly allowance for dialysis treatment.

(Sources: The Star, The Edge Markets) 

• TAGS:
• Datuk Seri M Saravanan
• Housewife Social Security Scheme (SKSSR)
• Housewives’ Social Security Bill
• PERKESO
• Social Security Organisation (SOCSO)
• SOCSO