Latest news with #SKSPS
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
PERKESO at the forefront of addressing socio-economic crises
KUALA LUMPUR: The COVID-19 pandemic, which struck the world in late 2019, had a profound impact not only on public health but also on the global economy, as movement restrictions and border closures disrupted lives and businesses. In Malaysia, the crisis forced many companies to restructure, downsize, or shut down entirely—leaving countless individuals without jobs and affecting their socioeconomic stability. Commenting on the issue, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said COVID-19 had a direct and substantial impact on workers' welfare and society as a whole. 'The pandemic underscored the importance of having a strong social protection system to support workers in times of economic uncertainty. At PERKESO, we are committed to being a safety net for workers and their families,' he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama recently. Dr Mohammed Azman said that in facing unexpected crises like a pandemic, PERKESO emerged as the primary provider of social protection for Malaysian workers. 'For example, in 2017, PERKESO proactively introduced the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), two years before the pandemic, to provide coverage for workers who lose their jobs due to unforeseen circumstances. 'Act 800 was a crucial step to ensure affected workers, especially in unexpected situations like a pandemic, could return to the workforce more quickly. Programmes such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme demonstrated how social insurance can safeguard jobs and businesses,' he said. This proactive move by PERKESO successfully protected more than 3.1 million workers and nearly 400,000 employers through the Wage Subsidy Scheme, which provided financial support to employers to retain their workers, especially during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. PROTECTION FOR INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS Although Malaysia's economy is recovering post-pandemic, social and economic crises stemming from structural changes in employment continue to linger. The latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) shows that the number of workers in the informal sector rose to 3.45 million in 2023. Workers in sectors such as p-hailing, e-hailing, and various gig economy platforms face significant challenges, particularly in terms of social security and job stability. Recognising the importance of extending social protection to this group, Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO introduced the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) to provide coverage for informal sector workers. 'The informal sector continues to grow rapidly, but its workers remain highly vulnerable to risks. That's why we introduced SKSPS—to ensure they too receive appropriate social protection. 'In addition, the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) was launched to recognise the contribution of women in the care economy, particularly housewives who may not have a steady income but are exposed to significant work-related risks such as accidents and injuries,' he said. EARLY INTERVENTION AND EMPLOYMENT RECOVERY PERKESO has also taken proactive steps to address job loss risks through early intervention strategies in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Department of Labour. Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO identifies employers intending to lay off workers or downsize operations, and then provides briefings and support programmes for the affected employees. 'Early intervention is crucial because it allows us to support workers before they lose their jobs. This gives them a chance to prepare and seek new employment without overwhelming pressure,' he said. Through Act 800, retrenched workers are supported via case management and retraining programmes, helping them to secure new jobs within six months. PERKESO also provides allowances such as the Job Search Allowance (EMP) and Reduced Income Allowance (EPB) while workers seek new employment. From 2020 to May 2023, more than 36,000 individuals participated in upskilling and retraining programmes under the Employment Insurance System. 'Statistics show that over 16,000 of them successfully secured employment after completing the training,' he said. INCENTIVES AND AMENDMENTS TO ACT 800 In line with evolving economic dynamics, Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO amended Act 800 to raise the salary ceiling for contribution and benefit calculation to RM6,000 per month, up from RM5,000 previously. 'This move ensures the protection provided remains relevant to the current job market, particularly for workers in the expanding gig and informal sectors. 'With the higher salary cap, we aim to extend commensurate protection to workers in these fast-growing sectors. We're always striving to keep our coverage in line with market developments,' he said. He added that initiatives like MYFutureJobs play a key role in helping informal sector workers transition into more stable, formal employment. 'Through the Informal to Formal Employment Transition Programme, PERKESO assists gig workers and online traders in securing jobs that offer better protection under the social security system,' he said. EMPOWERING THE GIG ECONOMY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Dr Mohammed Azman noted that PERKESO is also actively empowering the gig economy and entrepreneurship through the Gig Economy and Entrepreneurship Career Programme. This programme includes business skills training and partnerships with various digital gig platforms to help workers improve their skills and generate income in the digital economy. 'PERKESO also implements the Bina Kerjaya (Career Building) programme, which offers reskilling training for workers in the informal sector. Since the programme began, over 7,900 individuals have undergone training with allocations totalling RM13.6 million. 'The gig economy is part of Malaysia's employment future. Through programmes like these, we hope to give workers the opportunity to upskill and access better job prospects,' he said. SOCIAL SYNERGY AND CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION One of PERKESO's latest initiatives is the Social Synergy Programme, involving over 350 government, non-governmental, and private agencies. Dr Mohammed Azman said the platform aims to integrate various social assistance schemes into a more coordinated and accessible system for those in need. 'Collaborating with over 350 agencies is a testament to our commitment to delivering aid and support more efficiently to those who need it. The MySynergy system helps accelerate this process,' he said. Under MySynergy, more than 4,000 coordinators nationwide have been trained to manage the programme, which includes assistance in employment, entrepreneurship, poverty eradication, and social insurance protection. 'This system also enables faster and more efficient aid distribution through an end-to-end strategy that includes home visits and immediate problem-solving,' he said. MOVING FORWARD: FACING THE 'GOLDEN TSUNAMI' Looking ahead, Dr Mohammed Azman said Malaysia's social security ecosystem must continue evolving to stay relevant amid changing demographics and global economic shifts. He noted that the 'Golden Tsunami' phenomenon—referring to the global rise in the elderly population, including in Malaysia—requires particular focus on retirement fund sustainability and elderly healthcare. 'We must be prepared for major demographic shifts. Social protection for senior citizens and sustainable retirement funds will be key focus areas in our future planning. 'With the various initiatives already in place and plans for the future, PERKESO continues to play a key role as the nation's main line of defence in addressing social and economic challenges, while ensuring that no group of workers is left behind due to the rapidly changing dynamics of the world of work,' he said. - Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
PERKESO At The Forefront Of Addressing Socio-Economic Crises
T he COVID-19 pandemic, which struck the world in late 2019, had a profound impact not only on public health but also on the global economy, as movement restrictions and border closures disrupted lives and businesses. In Malaysia, the crisis forced many companies to restructure, downsize, or shut down entirely—leaving countless individuals without jobs and affecting their socioeconomic stability. Commenting on the issue, Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said COVID-19 had a direct and substantial impact on workers' welfare and society as a whole. 'The pandemic underscored the importance of having a strong social protection system to support workers in times of economic uncertainty. At PERKESO, we are committed to being a safety net for workers and their families,' he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama recently. Dr Mohammed Azman said that in facing unexpected crises like a pandemic, PERKESO emerged as the primary provider of social protection for Malaysian workers. 'For example, in 2017, PERKESO proactively introduced the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), two years before the pandemic, to provide coverage for workers who lose their jobs due to unforeseen circumstances. 'Act 800 was a crucial step to ensure affected workers, especially in unexpected situations like a pandemic, could return to the workforce more quickly. Programmes such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme demonstrated how social insurance can safeguard jobs and businesses,' he said. This proactive move by PERKESO successfully protected more than 3.1 million workers and nearly 400,000 employers through the Wage Subsidy Scheme, which provided financial support to employers to retain their workers, especially during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. PROTECTION FOR INFORMAL SECTOR WORKERS Although Malaysia's economy is recovering post-pandemic, social and economic crises stemming from structural changes in employment continue to linger. The latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) shows that the number of workers in the informal sector rose to 3.45 million in 2023. Workers in sectors such as p-hailing, e-hailing, and various gig economy platforms face significant challenges, particularly in terms of social security and job stability. Recognising the importance of extending social protection to this group, Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO introduced the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) to provide coverage for informal sector workers. 'The informal sector continues to grow rapidly, but its workers remain highly vulnerable to risks. That's why we introduced SKSPS—to ensure they too receive appropriate social protection. 'In addition, the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) was launched to recognise the contribution of women in the care economy, particularly housewives who may not have a steady income but are exposed to significant work-related risks such as accidents and injuries,' he said. EARLY INTERVENTION AND EMPLOYMENT RECOVERY PERKESO has also taken proactive steps to address job loss risks through early intervention strategies in collaboration with other agencies, such as the Department of Labour. Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO identifies employers intending to lay off workers or downsize operations, and then provides briefings and support programmes for the affected employees. 'Early intervention is crucial because it allows us to support workers before they lose their jobs. This gives them a chance to prepare and seek new employment without overwhelming pressure,' he said. Through Act 800, retrenched workers are supported via case management and retraining programmes, helping them to secure new jobs within six months. PERKESO also provides allowances such as the Job Search Allowance (EMP) and Reduced Income Allowance (EPB) while workers seek new employment. From 2020 to May 2023, more than 36,000 individuals participated in upskilling and retraining programmes under the Employment Insurance System. 'Statistics show that over 16,000 of them successfully secured employment after completing the training,' he said. INCENTIVES AND AMENDMENTS TO ACT 800 In line with evolving economic dynamics, Dr Mohammed Azman said PERKESO amended Act 800 to raise the salary ceiling for contribution and benefit calculation to RM6,000 per month, up from RM5,000 previously. 'This move ensures the protection provided remains relevant to the current job market, particularly for workers in the expanding gig and informal sectors. 'With the higher salary cap, we aim to extend commensurate protection to workers in these fast-growing sectors. We're always striving to keep our coverage in line with market developments,' he said. He added that initiatives like MYFutureJobs play a key role in helping informal sector workers transition into more stable, formal employment. 'Through the Informal to Formal Employment Transition Programme, PERKESO assists gig workers and online traders in securing jobs that offer better protection under the social security system,' he said. EMPOWERING THE GIG ECONOMY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Dr Mohammed Azman noted that PERKESO is also actively empowering the gig economy and entrepreneurship through the Gig Economy and Entrepreneurship Career Programme. This programme includes business skills training and partnerships with various digital gig platforms to help workers improve their skills and generate income in the digital economy. 'PERKESO also implements the Bina Kerjaya (Career Building) programme, which offers reskilling training for workers in the informal sector. Since the programme began, over 7,900 individuals have undergone training with allocations totalling RM13.6 million. 'The gig economy is part of Malaysia's employment future. Through programmes like these, we hope to give workers the opportunity to upskill and access better job prospects,' he said. SOCIAL SYNERGY AND CROSS-AGENCY COLLABORATION One of PERKESO's latest initiatives is the Social Synergy Programme, involving over 350 government, non-governmental, and private agencies. Dr Mohammed Azman said the platform aims to integrate various social assistance schemes into a more coordinated and accessible system for those in need. 'Collaborating with over 350 agencies is a testament to our commitment to delivering aid and support more efficiently to those who need it. The MySynergy system helps accelerate this process,' he said. Under MySynergy, more than 4,000 coordinators nationwide have been trained to manage the programme, which includes assistance in employment, entrepreneurship, poverty eradication, and social insurance protection. 'This system also enables faster and more efficient aid distribution through an end-to-end strategy that includes home visits and immediate problem-solving,' he said. MOVING FORWARD: FACING THE 'GOLDEN TSUNAMI' Looking ahead, Dr Mohammed Azman said Malaysia's social security ecosystem must continue evolving to stay relevant amid changing demographics and global economic shifts. He noted that the 'Golden Tsunami' phenomenon—referring to the global rise in the elderly population, including in Malaysia—requires particular focus on retirement fund sustainability and elderly healthcare. 'We must be prepared for major demographic shifts. Social protection for senior citizens and sustainable retirement funds will be key focus areas in our future planning. 'With the various initiatives already in place and plans for the future, PERKESO continues to play a key role as the nation's main line of defence in addressing social and economic challenges, while ensuring that no group of workers is left behind due to the rapidly changing dynamics of the world of work,' he said.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perkeso benefits aid hawker after accident disrupts income
S. Vijayaletchime, 40, (centre) receiving the mock cheque from Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim (in red cap) as others look on at her flat in Machang Bubok, Penang. BUKIT MERTAJAM: Bringing in around RM100 or more a day selling Indian economy rice, S. Vijayaletchime's life took a turn when she met with an accident and had to sit out a few months of work. As the sole breadwinner in the family, with her husband helping her man the stall, the accident posed a significant challenge. "In August last year (2024), my husband and I were heading home on his motorcycle after buying a new blender needed for the stall when a car struck us. "We were hit by a car near a petrol station. "My husband was unharmed but I had injuries to my knee and hip, requiring three months of bed rest. "This derailed our income as I need to cook and was told not to do strenuous activities," she said when met at her flat during the handing over ceremony of the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) benefits under its Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) in Machang Bubok on Thursday (July 10). The 40-year-old received RM13,354.29 in benefits in lieu of three months' medical leave. The mother of two said while her daughter is married, her son is only 17 years old and in school, which means there were monthly expenses they needed to meet. "I can make around RM7.50 per plate that I sell and on a good day can even take home RM150, so it was difficult for us. "My son-in-law and family members helped out with our finances but it was still difficult as we had to take money from others and it was not enough. "I am glad to be better and managed to resume work in December last year (2024)," she said. She found out that Perkeso covered such incidents through a friend and was grateful that it was an easy process to make the application. 'I did not sign up for Perkeso, but all registered hawkers (under the Seberang Perai City Council) here in Bukit Mertajam have been signed up for it by our MP Steven Sim for free. "I was unaware of the perks until someone told me I could claim for my loss of income. "The money came in handy and helped me settle some debts and manage my finances," she said. Sim, the Bukit Mertajam MP, who handed over the mock cheque to Vijayaletchime, said he had covered the annual contribution for some 3,000 traders last year. "This is the second year I am doing this. "We renewed 1,976 contributions this month, while 205 others opted to pay the RM70 on their own," he said. Sim, who is also the Human Resources minister, urged more self-employed individuals, part-timers, and hawkers to sign up, calling it an important safety net when the unexpected happens. "I urge everyone who is self-employed to contribute as it keeps you protected if anything untoward were to happen. "I want to remind people who are contributing that you are entitled to claim as well as many are unaware of the perks," he said.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Perkeso urges part-time media to join SKSPS
BATU GAJAH: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is encouraging part-time media practitioners to enroll in the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), which provides round-the-clock protection during work assignments. Tengku Datuk Khalidah Tengku Bidin, Chief of Perkeso's Strategic Communications, Branding, and Editorial Branch, highlighted that part-time media workers face heightened risks due to their mobile and outdoor-heavy roles. 'We urge these practitioners to contribute, as we assist members of this group weekly. SKSPS is ideal for media professionals who are often exposed to security risks while on duty,' she said. Her remarks followed the distribution of aid under Perkeso's *Ziarah Kasih* initiative to Bernama stringer Razif Rosli, 41, who suffers from a knee injury and kidney complications. Similar assistance was extended to *The China Press* photographer Wong Jin Sum, 53, recovering from a stroke, and *Malaysian Nanban* journalist S. Balakrishnan, 64, managing diabetes and hypertension. Tengku Khalidah clarified that SKSPS offers disability compensation and survivor benefits, with no age restrictions. 'Even retirees above 60 can contribute and claim benefits,' she added. Razif expressed gratitude for the aid, stating it would fund medical equipment for his ongoing treatment since 2021. 'The support has boosted my recovery hopes,' he said.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Perkeso urges part-time media to join SKSPS for 24-hour protection
BATU GAJAH: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is encouraging part-time media practitioners to enroll in the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), which provides round-the-clock protection during work assignments. Tengku Datuk Khalidah Tengku Bidin, Chief of Perkeso's Strategic Communications, Branding, and Editorial Branch, highlighted that part-time media workers face heightened risks due to their mobile and outdoor-heavy roles. 'We urge these practitioners to contribute, as we assist members of this group weekly. SKSPS is ideal for media professionals who are often exposed to security risks while on duty,' she said. Her remarks followed the distribution of aid under Perkeso's *Ziarah Kasih* initiative to Bernama stringer Razif Rosli, 41, who suffers from a knee injury and kidney complications. Similar assistance was extended to *The China Press* photographer Wong Jin Sum, 53, recovering from a stroke, and *Malaysian Nanban* journalist S. Balakrishnan, 64, managing diabetes and hypertension. Tengku Khalidah clarified that SKSPS offers disability compensation and survivor benefits, with no age restrictions. 'Even retirees above 60 can contribute and claim benefits,' she added. Razif expressed gratitude for the aid, stating it would fund medical equipment for his ongoing treatment since 2021. 'The support has boosted my recovery hopes,' he said.
