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KUALA LUMPUR – The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will implement the Housewife Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) starting tomorrow.
Socso said in a statement today that SKSSR would provide protection for housewives against domestic accidents and invalidity while managing households, and recognise their involvement in the care economy and development of the family institution.
According to Socso, the implementation of SKSSR, which is provided for under the Housewives’ Social Security Act 2022 (Act 838), makes Malaysia among four countries in the world to provide social security protection specifically for women.
Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the scope of “housewife” under the act was broad as the term is open to women, whether or not they are married or managing households full-time, and includes wives, divorcees or widows, single mothers, single women with careers, and full-time housewives.
“Eligible housewives only need to pay a contribution of RM120 per year in advance to receive 12 consecutive months of coverage and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements to receive benefits,” he said.
To register and contribute under SKSSR, housewives must be Malaysian citizens or permanent residents aged below 55.
Azman said contributions are voluntary but husbands are encouraged to contribute on behalf of their wives, while third parties including family members and non-governmental organisations can pay contributions for the housewives.
Socso also said that household management activities are not limited to daily routines at home, but include other household matters such as taking care of children or elderly parents, dropping off and picking up children from school, and taking parents to the doctors.
The SKSSR provides protection against domestic injury and invalidity for contributing housewives.
The domestic injury benefit includes medical and permanent disability benefits, facilities for physical or vocational rehabilitation and dialysis, funeral benefits, and survivors’ pension.
The protection against invalidity, meanwhile, provides benefits like constant-attendance allowance, facilities for physical or vocational rehabilitation and dialysis, funeral benefits, and survivors’ pension.
Applications to join SKSSR will be open tomorrow. More information can be found on the official Socso website at www.perkeso.gov.my or via the Socso customer care service line at 1-300-22-8000. – Bernama, November 30, 2022
