Advocating protection for non-occupational accidents

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urges the government to introduce the non-occupational accident scheme immediately as a proactive measure to protect the rights of workers, especially those involved in road accidents outside of their working hours.

Its president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani said that holistic protection outside of working hours needs to be introduced in line with the government’s commitment to empowering the welfare of the people, involving various groups.

“We need to work together to establish another social security scheme, specifically with a broader scope of protection outside of working hours.

“It aims to provide protection through compensation for medical treatment, income replacement, and financial support to those affected,” he said.

Mohd Effendy said that if the government implements the scheme, it will not only improve the welfare status of workers but also manifest efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of its people.

Furthermore, he emphasised that this scheme needs to be prioritised, considering that many injuries occur to workers, and claims for benefits under the Employees’ Social Security Act are rejected because they are not recognised as work-related disasters.

The establishment of this proposed scheme is also said to be in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a developed country like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and Norway within the next five to eight years.

“It clearly demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to adapt best practices in providing comprehensive worker protection that not only benefits individuals but also the economy as a whole by reducing the financial burden borne by society.

“At the same time, the protection for the proposed scheme aligns with the Human Resources’ Ministry 3K Concept, which focuses on the welfare, skills, and success of workers, initiated by its minister Steven Sim Chee Keong,” he explained.