PUTRAJAYA – Socso’s Invalidity Scheme will be extended to foreign workers, a move that will save the organisation at least RM25 million, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said.
Before this, the scheme, which provided coverage to workers who suffered from invalidity or death due to any cause, even if unrelated to their employment, only covered Malaysian employees, while foreign workers could only access Socso’s Employment Injury Scheme.
Sim today said Socso had been bearing the cost of sending deceased foreign workers to their home countries without any amount chipped in by their employers or the government.
“At this time, if invalidity occurs outside of work – such as death – the government or employers bear no cost for transporting the deceased.
“With this (invalidity) scheme, (foreign workers) will receive RM4,500 under Socso to help with the cost of sending the deceased home.
“If we look at previous data, Socso has been practising corporate social responsibility by using its own funds. With this move alone, the scheme can save Socso RM25.38 million,” Sim said at Menara Perkeso here.
He was speaking in a joint press conference with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail after a meeting between the two ministries on foreign worker management.
Sim said the invalidity scheme, which provides 24-hour coverage, has benefits comprising invalidity pensions, grants, a constant-attendance allowance, survivors’ pensions and funeral benefits.
On a separate issue for foreign workers, Sim said his ministry was mooting the idea of a special unit to manage complaints by migrant labourers as one of the reforms by the Labour Department reform to address workers’ issues.
The department has requested more manpower for this purpose and is identifying locations where complaints can be submitted.
The ministry will announce the complaints unit for foreign workers after its specifics are finalised, Sim said.
Instances of foreign workers being duped when coming to Malaysia have been in the headlines of late, such as a case in Pengerang, Johor where 171 foreign workers from Bangladesh failed to obtain jobs, three months after entering the country.
The Johor employer, who had tricked 733 migrant workers into coming to Malaysia but not providing employment, paid them RM1,035,557.50 in unpaid wages following a mutual agreement in proceedings mediated by the Johor Labour Department on February 5. – May 20, 2024