Image credit: The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has, in principle, approved the Human Resources Ministry's plan to implement the proposed Non-Occupational Accident Scheme (SKBBK).
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the scheme will also extend coverage to gig and self-employed workers.
He said the scheme serves as a social protection mechanism to address risks both during and outside working hours, especially for workers engaged in remote work, flexible schedules and gig employment.
"SKBBK will be administered by the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to ensure 24/7 protection for eligible workers throughout their employment period. It covers accidents that do not arise from or occur during the course of work and are not directly related to employment.
"The proposed scheme will include accidents occurring within Malaysia outside of working hours, including non-work-related commuting accidents," he said during Question Time.
Last year, a total of 85,529 workplace accidents were recorded, said Abdul Rahman.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) and Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap) regarding the 24/7 coverage mechanism and whether the ministry plans to include gig and contract workers in the scheme.
He said the ministry had engaged the scheme with stakeholders, including representatives from small and medium enterprises, Malaysian Employers Federation, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, Malaysian Trade Union Congress and Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services.
These discussions, held in the Klang Valley, Sabah, and Sarawak, he said, aim to refine the framework before the proposed legislation is tabled in Parliament this year.
On April 18, last year, MTUC president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani urged the government to act quickly to implement SKBBK to protect the rights of workers.
Effendy said the new social security scheme should have a wider scope where it could provide compensation for medical treatment, income replacement and financial support.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/02/1170802/gig-and-self-employed-workers-benefit-non-occupational-accident-scheme

