The Human Resources Ministry (MoHR) is moving to extend round-the-clock social security protection for employees under the Social Security Organisation, closing a long-standing gap in worker coverage.
MoHR Minister Steven Sim said amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) have been approved by the Cabinet and are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
“For example, if an employee takes his family out for dinner after work, he currently has no protection. After the amendments, 24-hour coverage will be provided, including outside working hours,” Sim said.
The minister stressed that the move is crucial as only 40% of Malaysians are covered by private insurance, leaving the majority of workers exposed outside office hours. The expanded protection would include access to health treatment, rehabilitation and other essential services in the event of accidents or unforeseen incidents.
Sim also revealed that 28 labour laws are under review, including the Employment Act 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, to ensure they remain relevant and protect workers’ rights.
Phung, A. (2025, September 6). Govt to table 24-hour social security coverage for workers. BusinessToday. https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/09/06/govt-to-table-24-hour-social-security-coverage-for-workers/
- Fewer than 300 union-busting reports in 10 years, says Human Resource Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: The Industrial Relations Department (IRD) reports receiving only 246 complaints of union-busting in the last 10 years. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said such complaints, received between 2015 and Aug 31 this year, related to union-busting practices or actions by employers that undermine trade union rights. Of the number, […] - High payouts for PERKESO
KUALA LUMPUR: Sugar-related ailments, such as diabetes, are costing the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) about US$100mil (RM421mil) in annual payouts. The Human Resources Minister highlighted PERKESO’s efforts in actively addressing occupational safety and health matters, with a strong commitment to contributing to the prevention of workplace mishaps. “We also conduct free medical checks to ensure […] - HR minister: 24-hour worker protection amendments to be tabled in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) to introduce 24-hour protection for workers under the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) are scheduled to be tabled in the upcoming Parliament session. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the amendment is crucial to ensure workers remain protected beyond […] - Unfair for only bosses to pay foreign workers’ protection costs, says group
PETALING JAYA: Employers should not be made solely responsible for bearing the cost of providing protection to foreign workers, an industrial group said in calling for a fairer approach. The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) said while workers’ welfare was a priority, placing the entire cost of insurance, medical coverage, welfare, and […] - Employers seek shared-cost model for foreign worker protection
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) has called for a more equitable and transparent system to safeguard the welfare of foreign workers. Its president, YK Lai, said that while worker welfare is a priority, the financial responsibility cannot fall solely on employers. “Placing the entire cost of insurance, medical coverage, […] - Penang must shift from ‘Made in Malaysia’ to ‘Made by Malaysia’, says HR minister amid global uncertainty
GEORGE TOWN, April 22 — Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has called on Penang’s semiconductor and advanced technology industries to reimagine the state’s future amid global economic uncertainty, urging a bold shift from a traditional manufacturing hub to a high-value, innovation-driven economy. In a statement yesterday, the Human Resources Ministry outlined a vision […] - How forced labour and land grabs remain sticky issues for palm oil
August 25 – In 2020, palm oil produced by Malaysian giant Sime Darby, the world’s biggest producer of palm oil certified by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, was banned from the U.S. after its Customs and Border Protection flagged forced labour in its supply chain. International brands including Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Unilever shunned the supplier in […] - Foreign worker quota reopened till Dec 31, says home minister
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Applications for the employment quota of foreign workers in three main sectors — agriculture, plantations and mining — as well as in 10 selected subsectors on a case-by-case basis, are now open until Dec 31. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that for the agriculture, plantation and mining sectors, […] - STEVEN SIM: MALAYSIA OPENS NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK TO ALL ASEAN CITIZENS FOR THE FIRST TIME
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark move under its ASEAN Chairmanship, Malaysia will open its flagship National Training Week (NTW) to all ASEAN citizens for the first time, offering over 65,000 free training opportunities across the country and online from 14-21 June 2025. The Honourable Mr Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of […] - Steven Sim: One-stop labour centre to be expanded nationwide by year end
KEPALA BATAS (Sept 6): The Ministry of Human Resources’ (Kesuma) one-stop labour centre, which consolidates all the ministry’s key services under one roof, is set to be expanded nationwide by the end of this year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that the one-stop centre aims to streamline service delivery for employees, employers, and unions, […]