Amendment To Self-employment Social Security Act To Be Tabled At Next Parliament Sitting - Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- The proposed amendment to the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 is expected to be tabled at the next Parliamentary session, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.

He said the amendment, which aims to expand Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) coverage to include Malaysians working overseas, would be tabled in Parliament after obtaining approval from the Cabinet.

“The Deputy Minister and I will bring this Bill to Parliament after receiving approval from the Cabinet, and the Act will be enforced this year once it is passed in Parliament, as the safety and health of workers cannot be left unattended,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the National-Level World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 celebration here today.

Also present was Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

Ramanan said that the move was important to ensure that the safety and welfare of Malaysian workers abroad, especially those working in neighbouring countries, continued to be safeguarded.

He said that about 480,000 Malaysians commute to Singapore for work, while 54 fatal accidents were recorded last year, stressing that this group also deserved the same level of protection as other workers in Malaysia.

Ramanan further said that the scheme had been carefully designed to prevent abuse, with SOCSO also having a clear basis for its implementation.

Meanwhile, the event also saw the launch of the Guidelines for Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (Construction Work) (Design and Management), 2026 Edition.

Khairul Firdaus said the guidelines had been improved not only to strengthen the governance of occupational safety and health, particularly in the high-risk construction sector, but also to place greater emphasis on workers’ mental health.

“We have often emphasised workplace safety, but we do not take issues such as depression, bullying and mental health problems at work seriously.

“Therefore, for this year’s celebration, we are highlighting the theme ‘Together to Ensure a Healthy Psychosocial Work Environment’ so that these issues can be addressed more comprehensively,” he said.

Khairul Firdaus said employers, including those in the gig economy, are provided with guidelines and briefings, as well as support services, by the ministry through relevant agencies to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.

-- BERNAMA