KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 493 registered part-time media practitioners or stringers from 45 media organisations nationwide will benefit from the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SESSS).
Each individual will receive contributions for one year, totalling RM232.80 per person, starting from July 1.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the initiative through the Social Security Organisation (Socso) aims to enhance the social protection programme for media practitioners, who often face various challenges in the course of their duties.
Earlier, national news agency Bernama and Socso signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend protection to part-time media practitioners under the SESSS.
The MoU was signed by Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Socso deputy chief executive for operations John Riba Marin at Wisma Bernama here.
Fahmi witnessed the signing.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general for strategic communications and creative industries Nik Kamaruzzaman Nik Husin, as well as Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
“For part-time media practitioners, they face greater challenges because they do not have a fixed income, and some are facing financial problems due to health problems and uncertain assignments.
“Therefore, the Communications Ministry through Bernama has taken proactive steps to hold a discussion session with Sosco to reduce their burden.
“A total of 90% of the value of the contribution is borne by the government, while the remaining 10% is sponsored by Bernama,” he said when met at the signing ceremony today. – August 15, 2024