SHAH ALAM, Sept 9 - A total of 8.5 million workers, or 87.6 per cent, have chosen to remain under the Lindung 24 Jam Non-Employment Injury Scheme, reflecting strong awareness of the importance of social protection beyond working hours.
Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the figure shows most workers recognise risks are not limited to the workplace, according to a report by Sinar Harian.
“In a year, a formal sector worker in Malaysia only spends about 33 per cent of their time working, including travelling to and from work. The remaining 67 per cent, or about 244 days a year, were previously not covered if an accident occurs beyond working hours,” he said.
Azman said Lindung 24 Jam, introduced on June 1, expanded social protection coverage to workers involved in non-work-related accidents, including those occurring outside working hours.
During its first three months up to August 31, SOCSO said it received 6,330 claims, with total benefit payments amounting to RM9.97 million, translating to an average of about 69 cases a day, or almost three cases every hour, covering temporary disablement, permanent disablement, medical expenses, funerals, dependents benefits, and rehabilitation equipment and implants.
Azman said social protection should extend to workers regardless of where or when they work.
He also revealed that some people who opted out of Lindung 24 Jam later submitted claims after suffering accidents outside working hours.
“This proves the risk of accidents outside working hours is not just a possibility but has already caused thousands of workers to require social protection support within the short period of this scheme’s implementation,” Azman said.
