KUALA LUMPUR: Local and foreign domestic helpers are set to benefit from the government’s expansion of social security protection, with approximately 100,000 workers in this segment slated to be covered.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, who announced this, said the Cabinet has approved the proposal to expand the social security coverage to domestic helpers under the Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800).
“The government hopes to enforce this expansion through these regulations that is expected to be implemented on June 1, ” he told reporters before the start of the 2021 Socso Buka Puasa event here yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: The social security coverage has been extended to benefit 100,000 local and foreign domestic helpers, says Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.
The Human Resources Minister said the Cabinet recently had approved the proposal to extend the social security coverage to domestic helpers under the Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and Employment Insurance System Act 2017. The government hopes to enforce this expansion through these regulations that is expected to be implemented on June 1, he said during a press conference before the start of the Socso Majlis Iftar 2021 event on Tuesday (April 20).
With the extension, Saravanan said domestic helpers who are Malaysians or are permanent residents who contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) will be protected under the Employment Injury Scheme and the Disability Scheme under Act 4 as well as the Employment Insurance System under Act 800.
Thursday, 11 Mar 2021 05:34 PM MYT
MTUC president Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor said in developed countries, including Singapore and Australia, all workers’ social protection contributions were the responsibility of employers and paid in full by them. Picture by Choo Choy May
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KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) agrees that there should be an increase in the contribution rate for Socso, however, it should only be on the part of the employers.
MTUC president Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor said in developed countries, including Singapore and Australia, all workers’ social protection contributions were the responsibility of employers and paid in full by them.
MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
WE refer to the recent reports in the media on the discovery of squalid living conditions for foreign workers in several large manufacturing companies in the Klang Valley. The Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia (AOEMM) views the situation as a serious issue that warrants attention, urgent action and a strong commitment from all stakeholders.
As our country progresses into the 21st century, there continues to be a heavy reliance on foreign workers for 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs. According to data from the Home Affairs Ministry, as of June 30,2019 there were a total of 2,002,427 foreign workers in Malaysia, of whom 699,430 (34.9%) and 438,264 (21.9%) were in the manufacturing and construction sectors respectively. There are also many undocumented foreign workers who may be in the same situation.