KUALA LUMPUR: Over half a million housewives have registered as contributors under the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) as of mid-December.
Kasthuri Patto, chairman of the Perkeso committee overseeing the scheme, said this surpassed the target set by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) and Human Resources Ministry.
She said the total contributions had reached RM61,502,160.
"Although more than half a million housewives have registered under the SKSSR this year, this still represents only 16.5 per cent of the total number.
"This leaves over 2.6 million (from 3.1 million) housewives who have yet to enrol for protection under the scheme," she said during a press conference, here, today.
The Housewives Social Security Act (Act 838) aims to provide disability benefits and protection to housewives from domestic disasters.
Kasthuri said as of November, Perkeso had approved 2,019 claims under the scheme, totalling RM3.9 million in benefits.
She said these cases involve disability protection benefits, accidents while managing household duties and death.
She said Sabah recorded the highest number of contributors, with 92,441 registered housewives, followed by Sarawak (92,120) and Kelantan (70,875).
She said other states also saw significant participation, including Kedah (36,091), Terengganu (34,805), Selangor (34,191) and Johor (24,819).
"For just RM120 per year, women in Malaysia, whether single, divorced, widowed, single mothers, homemakers or even working women who take on full-time or part-time duties as housewives after work, can benefit from domestic disaster protection. This covers accidents or incidents occurring while performing household duties.
"Benefits under the domestic disaster protection system include medical benefits, permanent disablement benefits, welfare allowances, funeral management assistance, physical rehabilitation or dialysis facilities and survivors' pension," she said.
Throughout this year, she said, 4,064 engagements with private companies, government-linked companies, statutory bodies, members of parliament, assemblymen, individuals, Islamic religious councils, and non-governmental organisations have been held to spread awareness and encourage contributions for housewives.
She said 10 private companies had sponsored SKSSR contributions amounting to RM558,360.
Kasthuri expressed hope that in 2025, more family members would recognise the valuable contributions of housewives and take responsibility for ensuring their protection.
"I also encourage private companies to benefit from the income tax exemptions by contributing for B40 women employees as part of their corporate social responsibility and estate managers should contribute for their B40 female workers.
"I urge all elected representatives to take the initiative to sponsor B40 women under the SKSSR, so the contributions and sacrifices of housewives can be better recognised and appreciated by individuals, communities and the nation," she said.