Human Resources Minister Steven Sim says Perkeso will study extending the Employment Insurance Scheme to cover gig economy workers.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) has been instructed to study the feasibility of extending the Employment Insurance Scheme to gig workers.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim announced this directive while winding up the debate on the 2026 Supply Bill for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.
He confirmed that the Employment Insurance Scheme currently does not provide coverage for gig economy workers.
Sim stated that Perkeso will examine the possibility of extending this scheme or a similar one to include them.
The Employment Insurance Scheme is a social security programme administered by Perkeso to assist workers who have lost their jobs.
Sim also revealed that 846,907 people have contributed to Perkeso’s Self-Employed Social Security Scheme between January and October.
He noted that 290,122 of these contributors were involved in e-hailing and p-hailing services during this period.
The Self-Employed Social Security Scheme was established under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017.
This scheme provides essential social protection for self-employed individuals across various sectors.
Sim emphasised the government’s commitment to implementing comprehensive labour market reforms.
These reforms aim to ensure Malaysia’s workforce remains protected while receiving balanced and competitive training opportunities. – Bernama
