KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Only 51,000 out of the 260,000 taxi, car rental, e-hailing and private bus drivers across the country have registered under the Social Security Scheme for the Self Employed (SKSPS), since it came into force on June 1, 2017.
Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the number was still low, and drivers in the sector were encouraged to immediately register with the scheme to get social security protection provided by the organisation.
“Looking at these statistics is very sad. Less than two per cent only have signed up for the scheme. We have just started the scheme for the transport sector. It will be extended to 18 other sectors including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, online business, insurance agents and homestay entrepreneurs.
“I hope that the engagement session with various stakeholders in the sector will raise their awareness of the need for social security protection,” he told the talk programme ‘SKSPS – Why the need, who deserves it, what is the benefit’ organised by the Berita Harian newspaper here yesterday.
The rate of annual contribution to Socso is between RM157.20 (RM13.10 per month) to RM592.00 (RM49.40 per month) depending on the income of the insured.
Mohammed Azman said in line with the government’s vision of becoming a developed nation in many aspects, social security protection should also be emphasised among workers.
Meanwhile, one of the panellists of the programme, head of the Actuarial Science Programme Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Prof Dr Noriszura Ismail said the scheme was adequate as it provided many benefits to the contributors.
“There are various benefits available including medical benefits, temporary disability, permanent disability, benefits for dependents and funeral benefits. All of these are provided with a minimum contribution of RM13.10 to RM49.40,” she said.
— Bernama
