Socso targeting self-employed under SKSPS scheme

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) is targeting one million gig and self-employed workers to contribute to the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) this year.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said until now, there are more than 500,000 active contributors protected under the scheme which provides various benefits in the event of any untoward incidents.

“The Federal Government has allocated RM100mil in the 2024 Budget to bear 90% of the SKSPS contribution value.

We want the self-employed to know that they can be protected and have the opportunity to enjoy various benefits including medical benefits, temporary and permanent disability in the event of an accident.

“So we hope that more such workers will take this opportunity to contribute to SKSPS to enable them to be protected while carrying out their duties,” he said recently.

On Saturday, Sim was at the Taman Sri Rambai Market to hand out the SKSPS certificates to the traders with Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and Penang Socso director Rafidah Abdul Rahim.

A total of 2,000 hawkers, pasar malam stall operators, market traders, food court workers and coffee shop helpers registered with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will receive the full benefit of SKSPS, where 90% of the contribution payment for a period of one year is borne by the government while the remaining 10% is financed by local representatives.

The Bukit Mertajam MP said that as of March 31, Socso has paid out benefits amounting to almost RM5mil nationwide to those under SKSPS.

The SKSPS was created to provide protection to individuals who are self-employed under the provisions of the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017.

This scheme is mandatory for the Passenger Transport Sector, namely taxi drivers, ehailing and bus drivers under the provisions of the Security Act Self-Employment Social Security 2017 came into effect from June 1, 2017.

From Jan 1, 2020, the coverage of the SKSPS was extended to 19 other self-employment sectors, making a total of 20 sectors covered by the scheme.

For more information, head on to https://perkeso.gov.my/perkhidmatan-kami/perlindungan/pekerjaan-sendiri.html.