Riot (second from right) points to a banner that lists the benefits of Socso’s insurance scheme. Dr Mohammed Azman is on the right, John (second from left) and Phillip (left). — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The number of Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributors is expected to increase to 6.5 million nationwide following the recent passing of the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2015.
Human Resources Minister Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem said amendments to the Bill extended social security protection coverage to all employees and increased the ceiling monthly contribution from RM3,000 to RM4,000.
“For those insured, previously coverage was limited to those who earn RM3,000 (gross salary) and below. Now the government has increased the limit to RM4,000.
“With the increase in coverage, it is going to benefit 500,000 employees who were previously not eligible. This will increase the total number of employees who contribute to Socso scheme.
“The number currently stands at six million employees,” he told a press conference after officiating at the inaugural briefing session on the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2015 yesterday.
Riot stressed that the public must know the importance of becoming a contributor to Socso as there were many benefits.
Socso, he pointed out, was established to take care of employees and next-of-kin’s welfare. It started operating a rehabilitation centre in Melaka in October last year, and the number of employees returning to work stood at 194 cases.
“In every state, we have this programme to help employees return to work after accidents, but this centre is the first of its kind for treatment of more complicated cases.
“With this additional coverage, invalidity pension (pencen ilat) and maximum survivor’s pension (penakat) is RM2,567.50 per month.”
He expected the Bill to be enforced from June 1 this year.
The briefing session, which was attended by about 300 employers, also covered topics like minimum wages for the private sector and Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Also present at the function were Socso chief executive Dato Dr Mohammed Azman Dato Aziz Mohammed and deputy chief executive John Riba Marin, Socso Sarawak director Phillip Sangkan.