PUTRAJAYA, Feb 20 — The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) aims to introduce legislation for the Non-Occupational Accident Scheme (SKBBK) this year, its minister Steven Sim said.
He said the ministry is currently in the process of amending existing laws to pave the way for the scheme following approval from the Cabinet last year.
“SKBBK is not a new concept as it has been discussed for a long time, not only by previous governments but also by trade union members who see it as an important social security scheme.
“They recognise the importance of this scheme in providing protection not only when employees are at work but also in cases of accidents outside of working hours,” he told newsmen after attending a coordination meeting involving state executive councillors heading the human resources portfolio here today.
Earlier this month, the ministry stated its intention to implement SKBBK to ensure 24-hour protection for eligible employees during their employment period.
Meanwhile, during the meeting today, various human resource-related issues were discussed, including policies and strategies to improve wages and social security protection.
Sim said the meeting serves as a platform to enhance coordination between the federal and state governments in human resource development.
Three presentations were delivered, including one by the National Wage Consultative Council on the minimum wage order and comparisons with progressive wage policies.
The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) also provided updates on three key schemes: the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), the Housewives’ Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) and SKBBK.
Besides this, TalentCorp presented a study on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and the green economy on Malaysia’s labour market.
Sim stressed that coordination with state governments is crucial, as workforce management is not solely a federal matter but requires close collaboration at the state level.
On the issue of manpower shortage in state labour departments (JTK), Sim said the ministry is exploring ways to restructure the organisation to ensure efficient service delivery without increasing staff numbers. — Bernama
Malay Mail. (2025, February 20). HR Ministry to roll out accident insurance coverage this year for 24-hour employee protection outside of working time. Retrieved from https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/02/20/hr-ministry-to-roll-out-accident-insurance-coverage-this-year-for-24-hour-employee-protection-outside-of-working-time/167386
- 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, […]