90pc of taxi, e-hailing drivers have yet to register with Socso scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 90 per cent of taxi and e-hailing drivers have yet to register with the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Socso chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said only 9,644 drivers had registered for the scheme, although he had initially targeted 100,000 people.
“Since June 1, 2017, we have made payments to 59 taxi and ehailing drivers, who had been involved in accidents, for a total sum of RM204,000.
“We urge employers and drivers to register with the scheme so that they can get benefits and ensure that the drivers and their families are protected and covered,” he said at the launch of MyDrebar and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Socso here yesterday.
Present at the launch was My Drebar vice-president Shahrul Anuar Zamri.
Azman said it was compulsory for the drivers to register for the scheme, with a minimum payment of only RM13.10 a month.
He added the drivers could also make a contribution of RM592.80 a year.
“MyDrebar is the first e-hailing service that collaborated with us for the scheme. Their drivers are protected and they will receive various types of benefits from it,” he said.
Taxi driver Yuzaimi Yusof, 44, who has been driving for seven years, lauded the scheme as it gave protection for him and his family.
“In the past, I had never registered for any Socso scheme. After registering with MyDrebar four months ago, I have begun my monthly contribution of RM49.90. This is a good deal as the amount of contribution to Socso is reasonable,” said the father of five.
Meanwhile, another taxi driver Wong Hin Theng, 59, lauded the scheme’s convenient payment process.
Wong, who has been in the industry for 10 years, said MyDrebar would deduct the contribution from his income every month.
“I have never registered for any Socso scheme before.
“This is my first,” he said, adding the scheme gave him a peace of mind.