Socso Bintulu targets 5,000 contributors for Self-Employment Social Security Scheme

BINTULU: The Social Security Organisation (Socso) Bintulu has set a target to register about 5,000 self-employed individuals to contribute to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme this year.

Socso Bintulu manager Jimmy Hendrick Kijon says his side is promoting the benefits of the scheme to the selected groups in 20 sectors.

According to him, they have carried out seven promotional activities at the wet market, food courts, residential parks and other business premises, but the response has not been very encouraging.

Thus, Socso Bintulu is now utilising new technology and sharing the related information via social media, he adds.

“We are also in the process of carrying out engagements with the relevant agencies such as Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, Bintulu Development Authority, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Bintulu District Office and others that are responsible in issuing permits,” he said.

For the record, Socso’s SelfEmployment Social Security Scheme serves to provide protection for individuals who are self-employed under the provisions of the Self Employment Social Security Act 2017.

“In the beginning, this scheme was compulsory for those self-employed in the passenger transportation sector which are taxi, e-hailing, and bus drivers – it took effect on June 1, 2017.

“As of Jan 1, 2020, the scheme is extended to 19 other sectors,” Jimmy told reporters at his office here yesterday.

The 19 other sectors are goods and food transport, agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, food, manufacturing, construction, hawkers, accommodation premises, online business, information technology, data processing, agents, professional services, support services, arts, beauty and healthcare, and household services.

The coverage for selfemployed individuals contributing to the scheme starts from the date and time the contribution is paid and recognised on the contribution payment receipt.

“There are eight benefits under the scheme – medical benefit, temporary disablement benefit, permanent disablement benefit, constant attendance allowance, dependants’ benefit, funeral benefit, education benefit, and facilities for physical and vocational rehabilitation,” said Jimmy.

Those eligible to contribute are Malaysian citizens, permanent residents without age limit, and individuals who work for themselves to earn a living.

Jimmy said the documents needed for the registration would be a photocopy of identity card (Mykad), a copy of driving licence, e-hailing profile, relevant permits, any certificate or letter of confirmation from the relevant association or agency or community leaders, subject to the type of sector.

“Contribution payment can be made on monthly or yearly basis, but we recommend for yearly basis to avoid delayed payments,” said Jimmy, adding that payments could be made by cash at all Socso offices, or using online banking transfer via matrix. perkeso.gov.my.

The contribution rate is based on selected insured monthly earnings – namely Plan 1 with RM13.10 in monthly contribution or RM157.20 in yearly contribution covering insured monthly earnings of RM1,050; Plan

2 with RM119.40 (monthly contribution) or RM232.80 (yearly contribution) covering insured monthly earnings of RM1,550; Plan 3 with RM36.90 (monthly contribution) or RM442.80 (yearly contribution) covering insured monthly earnings of RM2,950; and Plan 4 with RM49.40 (monthly contribution) or RM592.80 (yearly contribution) covering insured monthly earnings of RM3,950.

Jimmy said last year, Socso Bintulu implemented 15 programmes and registered 258 drivers.

“From the total, 77 were taxi drivers, 138 Grab drivers and 43 bus drivers,” he said.