Despite everything that’s hampering global economies right now, there’s a glimmer of hope for domestic helpers based in Malaysia as the government announced that it will expand its social security protection coverage, with approximately 100,000 workers in this segment slated to be covered.
According to government officials, both local and foreign domestic helpers will enjoy the added benefits provided by the law.
Soon, Local and Foreign Domestic Helpers in Malaysia to be Covered Under Social Security Plan
According to Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the Cabinet has approved the proposal to expand the social security coverage to domestic helpers under the Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), The Star reported.
“The government hopes to enforce this expansion through these regulations that are expected to be implemented on June 1,” he said.
With the expansion of the act, the human resources minister highlighted that domestic helpers who are Malaysians or Permanent Residents contributing to Socso will be protected under the Employment Injury Scheme and the Disability Scheme under Act 4, as well as the Employment Insurance System under Act 800.
Meanwhile, foreign domestic workers will be protected under Act 4 of the Employment Injury Scheme.
Act 4 of the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 administers Employment Injury Scheme and Invalidity Scheme, which offers protection for employees who suffer injuries due to accidents or occupational diseases arising in the course of employment, and provides 24-hour protection to employees against invalidity or death due to any cause.
Saravanan emphasized that these workers covered by the expanded social security plan include those who work in informal sectors such as drivers, gardeners, and babysitters.
He noted that the contribution paid by the employer and employee will follow the current contribution rate under Act 4 and Act 800.
“A total of 104,400 domestic helpers comprising 15,000 Malaysians and Permanent Residents, as well as 89,400 foreigners are expected to benefit from this,” he explained.
The expansion of coverage will protect the domestic helpers who previously did not qualify for coverage under Act 4 and Act 800, according to Saravanan.
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