Socso wants cabbies to sign up for scheme
SIBU: Social Security Organisation ( Socso) will hold more engagements with taxi associations here to get their members to register with the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme.
Socso Sibu branch manager Tan Phang Chia said the response from taxi drivers towards the scheme thus far has been rather lukewarm.
“Need more engagement and follow-up for their better understanding of this new scheme.
“We did our first round of engagement on July 14, calling upon the office- bearers of taxi associations.
“We are collecting information, and from there, to engage the associations.
“We asked them to set a date for the registration of their members,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Tan added that they intend to have a seminar with these taxi drivers in the third week of August.
It has been reported that taxi drivers throughout the country should immediately join the SelfEmployment Social Security Scheme to get coverage provided by Socso.
The mandatory scheme which was enforced on June 1 this year provides protection to the selfemployed insured person from illnesses with regards to job and work-related accidents.
This scheme includes taxis or similar services in Malaysia such as budget cabs, executive cabs, limousines, airport taxis, rental cars and similar services ( Uber/GrabCar/E-hailing).
Socso chief executive Datuk Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed has said failure to register is an offence under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 and if found guilty, can be fined up to RM10,000, jailed up to two years or both.
With the scheme, taxi drivers will receive medical benefits, benefits from temporary disability, permanent disability, funeral arrangement and education loans.
Meanwhile, Associated Taxi Owners Association of Sarawak secretary Robert Angkah has urged taxi drivers to register with Socso.
He noted that some members of Sibu Taxi Owners Association have registered with the organisation.