Housewives social protection scheme still short of target, says Kasthuri
Kasthuri Patto said Malaysia is one of three countries in the world that have a social protection scheme for housewives.
PETALING JAYA: The housewives’ social protection scheme introduced by the unity government in December 2022 is still well behind its goal to protect the over three million housewives in the country, says Kasthuri Patto.
The scheme, also known as Skim Keselamatan Sosial Suri Rumah (SKSSR), has a take up rate of less than 10% so far, the former Batu Kawan MP said.
Kasthuri Patto.
“As of April 21, 2024, only 253,794 women have signed up, with Sarawak topping the list among all states at 56,128,” she said in a statement in conjunction with Labour Day.
“This is followed by Sabah with 49,780, Selangor (6,867), Johore (6,588), Terengganu (6,348), Kelantan (5,489), Perak (5,397), Penang (13,953), Kedah (13,855), Negeri Sembilan (11,161), Pahang (9,154), Melaka (8,056), and Perlis (3,725).
Kasturi, who is chairman of the Socso committee on the SKSSR, added that the total number of registrations in the three Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan stood at 7,293.
She added that Malays top the list at 137,796 followed by Bumiputera Sabah at 20,631, Bumiputera Sarawak at 19,204, Indians at 17,034, Chinese at 10,399, Orang Asli (peninsular) at 472, and others at 48,258.
The scheme is aimed at providing protection to housewives against domestic accidents or other incidents in the course of performing their household duties and affairs, as well as for housewives who are afflicted with an illness or become disabled.
Under the scheme, married or unmarried, widows and single mothers are required to make a contribution of RM10 per month or an annual contribution of RM120.
The contribution can be made by the housewife herself, her family members or even her employer.
“With such a scheme in place, the objective now is to up the ante on dissemination of information on the scheme through community leaders, councillors, assemblymen, MPs and Senators, including civil society and all NGOs to help pass the word on this social protection by the government for housewives,” she said.
On March 15, 2024 the human resources minister Steven Sim announced that a new committee will be set up to increase awareness and to encourage more family members to contribute for housewives under this scheme.
Kasthuri said the committee has been working tirelessly to strategise how to ensure that women, particularly housewives, receive correct information, especially those from B40 and in rural areas and with a target of at least 500,000 registrations for this year.
Under the scheme, housewives are entitled to Domestic Accident Protection Benefits covering medical benefits, permanent disability benefits, funeral benefits, physical rehabilitation or dialysis facilities, and survivors’ pensions.
As for the Invalidity Protection Benefits, housewives can enjoy morbidity allowance, physical rehabilitation or dialysis facilities, funeral benefits and survivors’ pension.
Kasthuri, who is a DAP central executive committee member, said Malaysia is one of three countries in the world that have a social protection scheme for housewives.
More information can be obtained at https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/our-services/protection/housewife.html.