Spouse in same firm now covered, says CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources minister has approved the extension of social security protection to a spouse working with his or her spouse in an enterprise.

Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the extension was under the Employees Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) and the Employment Insurance Systems Act 2017(Act 800).

In a statement yesterday, Azman said prior to the extension of this protection, a spouse or husband employed by his spouse in an enterprise under Act 4 and Act 800 was not eligible to register and contribute as an employee, in which case no social security protection was accorded to them under the two acts.

The social security protection under Act 4 covers medical, temporary disability, permanent disablement and education benefits, physical or vocational rehabilitation facilities.

He added that social security protection under Act 800 covered allowances for job search, early repayment, reduced income and training, employment placement programme and training.

Accordingly, an employer, a spouse or husband who works in a company under Act 4 and Act 800, is obliged to register and contribute to Socso in accordance with the method and rate of contribution stipulated under both acts, with effect from tomorrow.