More than 869,000 self-employed individuals, including 299,674 gig workers, are now contributing to Perkeso’s Skim Lindung Kendiri for social protection.
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 869,913 self-employed individuals were registered and actively contributing to the Social Security Organisation’s Skim Lindung Kendiri as of December 31, 2025.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan revealed that 299,674 of these contributors are from the gig sector, including e-hailing drivers.
He said the overall figure reflects growing awareness of social protection in a dynamic job landscape.
“The rapid growth of digitalisation has altered the country’s labour market, with more people from the younger generation and low-income group choosing more flexible jobs or gigs as their main source of income,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a supplementary question on assessing the long-term impact of social protection schemes for gig workers.
Khairul Firdaus noted significant differences between permanent and gig workers, particularly in social security coverage.
The government is therefore strengthening protection through the Skim Lindung Kendiri, managed under the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017.
This scheme provides comprehensive protection against work-related illnesses and accidents.
It also offers medical benefits, temporary and permanent disability benefits, survivor benefits, funeral management benefits and education loans.
The ministry additionally provides an upskilling and reskilling platform to ensure gig workers have resilience and long-term income continuity.
