SUBANG JAYA: Only one in five drivers in the e-hailing, taxi and bus services contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) despite it being compulsory, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran (pix) said today.
He noted that Socso contribution became a requirement on Nov 1, 2018.
However, the ministry would not force errant drivers to make a contribution. “We’ll take the soft approach now,” he said.
“We’ll explain to them the importance of being a Socso contributor, for the benefit of the family and their own future,” he told reporters after attending the Employment Law conference here.
Of the estimated 250,000 drivers in the country, only 46,162 contribute to Socso. They include 16,783 cabbies, 26,596 e-hailing drivers and 2,873 bus drivers.
Kulasegaran pointed out that only those who contribute to Socso are protected if anything untoward happens to them.
“If they are injured while at work, they are covered by Socso and will receive compensation,” he added.
Kulasegaran cited the example of an e-hailing driver who died while at work but the ministry could not help the family because he did not contribute to Socso.
On the other hand, he said, a driver received compensation for injuries sustained at work because she was a contributor.
The minister also chided parents who are reluctant to let their children work far away from home.
“Many parents in the middle income level want their children to be near them, but the children are unable to find jobs. On the other hand, there are jobs available elsewhere in the country, and this reluctance to let go is hindering employment,” he said.
He pointed out that there are an estimated 800,000 jobs available.
He urged those who are jobless to take up the available jobs and get experience until the job they are looking for becomes available.