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Dewan Rakyat passes 2 landmark bills for enhanced worker protection

New laws introduce 24/7 employee coverage and stronger unemployment benefits to safeguard workers' well-being

7:02 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat today approved the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to introduce the Lindung 24/7 protection scheme.

This initiative will offer comprehensive coverage for employees, including protection outside working hours, benefitting nearly 10 million formal workers across the country.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim highlighted that the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is fully prepared to implement the scheme once it becomes law.

“The average processing time for claims under Perkeso over the past year was approximately 24 hours, which shows its efficiency in handling cases promptly,” Sim said. “Perkeso does not compromise on efficiency, with claims typically processed in just 1.29 days.”

Sim also revealed that the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) is conducting a study on potential incentives for contributors who do not make any claims over a certain period.

During the second reading of the bill, Sim mentioned that Perkeso had rejected 12,306 claims from 2023 to October 2025. These claims were deemed outside the scope of occupational accidents, underscoring the need for the new Non-Occupational Accident Safety Scheme (SKBBK).

“The introduction of this scheme is crucial to preventing families from shouldering treatment and recovery costs when an accident occurs outside working hours,” he added.

The bill was passed with a majority voice vote, following a debate between 10 Members of Parliament from both government and opposition parties.

In addition, the Dewan Rakyat also approved the Employment Insurance System (Amendment) Bill 2025. This bill includes measures to enhance benefits for Perkeso contributors who lose their jobs and improve the governance of the Employment Insurance System (SIP).

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad stated that, as of November 30, 57,094 workers, or 85.3%, had received SIP benefits out of 69,923 job-loss cases reported by Perkeso over the past five years.

“The total value of SIP benefits approved stands at RM437.19 million. The government remains committed to ensuring swift, transparent, and effective delivery of assistance to affected workers as they transition back into the workforce,” he said.

The bill was passed by a majority vote after being debated by six MPs from both sides of the aisle. – December 2, 2025

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