KUALA LUMPUR: The government is targeting for at least one million self-employed workers to be protected under the Social Security Organisation (Socso)'s Self-Employment Social Security Scheme.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government would bear 80 per cent of the contribution required by the individual.
In his Labour Day speech aired live on TV1 this morning, he also announced a Keluarga Malaysia Vehicle Insurance Financing programme, MyEzyCover.com.
He said this programme was a financing package in instalments of up to 10 months without any interest charges, and would be offered to civil servants before it would be extended to the private sector.
"This programme will be implemented by the Human Resources Ministry in collaboration with Socso and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa)."
He also said the minimum wage, set to RM1,500 and comes into effect today, was a gift to workers for their tireless dedication in developing the country's economy.
Ismail Sabri also said the government had agreed to make it mandatory for public sector workplaces to set up nurseries, involving both federal and state governments as well as statutory bodies.
He added that for this purpose, the government had provided a grant of RM10 million in 2019 and RM30 million annual grants starting 2020 for the initiative, to provide relief to employees with small children.
The Prime Minister also said the reopening of the country's borders had allowed the reemployment of foreign workers, especially in 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) sectors.
He said however, this move was not to alienate local workers, adding that a comprehensive mechanism would be devised for the country to reduce its dependence on foreign workers, thus prioritising local workers.
"The Human Resources Ministry has been asked to look into and study this aspect so that local workers can benefit through better salary rates, employment packages and career advancement.
"The government has also launched the UpSkills Malaysia portal for workers to improve their skills, making it a single reference centre which provides information on 6,143 training providers covering 35 skill areas," he said.
The government, he added, was committed to protecting the rights of both local and foreign workers, especially on issues related to forced labour.
He said the government had therefore ratified Protocol 29 of the International Labour Organisation as proof of the government's commitment to eradicating forced labour in the country.
"This ratification is a proactive action by the government to ensure that Malaysian products and goods are no longer restricted from entering the international market due to the alleged use of forced labour in the country.
In protecting the rights of Keluarga Malaysia workers, he added, the government had introduced and implemented several initiatives including approving amendments to the Employment Act 1955 to extend maternity leave to 98 days and granting a seven-day paternity leave.
The government had also reduced weekly working hours from 48 hours to 45 hours to promote work-life balance, and increased the ceiling of the insured monthly salary from RM4,000 to RM5,000, benefitting 9 million workers, especially Socso contributors nationwide.
"To encourage workers to be active in trade unions, the Trade Union Act 1959 is being amended and has been passed for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on March 24 this year.
"The government, through Socso, has also allocated a total of RM267 million to improve its operations involving the contribution rate and benefits offered."
He also said the minimum rate for retirement pension paid to eligible dependents has been increased from RM475 to RM550 per month, benefitting 56,000 households.
"The government is confident that Keluarga Malaysia workers will remain resilient and continue to become strategic partners in developing the country's economy.
"Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and wish Happy Labour Day to all workers, and leaders and members of trade unions in the country.
"I would also like to wish Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all Muslim Keluarga Malaysia, especially to all celebrated workers," he added.