Kuala lumpur: Amendments to the Employees' Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) aimed at introducing 24-hour protection for workers under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are set to be tabled in the upcoming Parliament session. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong emphasized the importance of this amendment, highlighting that it is essential to ensure workers remain protected beyond official working hours, aligning with modern and flexible work arrangements.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will convene from this Monday until December 4. Minister Sim noted that from 2015 to 2025, Malaysia experienced a 63 percent increase in the number of workers covered under social security. Additionally, the maximum benefits paid to insured persons have risen from RM2,655 in 2015 to RM5,355 this year.

Malaysia distinguishes itself as one of the few countries extending social protection coverage to housewives through initiatives like the 'Lindung Kasih' scheme and the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) i-Suri programme, benefiting over 500,000 housewives as of 2024. The recently passed Gig Workers Bill further strengthens protection for gig economy workers, aligning with the MADANI Government's policy to ensure no worker is excluded from the national social safety net.

In addition, Minister Sim applauded PERKESO, EPF, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) [KWAP], and the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM) for successfully hosting the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) meetings in Kuala Lumpur. He also congratulated PERKESO Chief Executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed for his re-election as ISSA President for the 2026-2028 term, which he remarked as a testament to the international community's confidence in Malaysia's leadership and expertise in social security.