Student interns cannot be seen as free labour: Sivakumar

SEREMBAN – The government will look into the matter of allowance payments for students in industrial training following a report on a public university student who had expressed concern on the issue, said Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.

“For me, this matter (payment of allowances) needs to be given serious attention by the government, this has also been raised in International Labour Organisation conferences so that it is given due consideration around the world,” he told reporters here today.

“These interns (students undergoing industrial training) cannot be considered as free labour, we will look into this matter and I will give feedback soon.”

Meanwhile in another development, Sivakumar said a total of 177,858 housewives were covered by the Housewives’ Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) as of June 15.

He said a total of RM254,617 in benefits had also been paid to insured housewives and families under the social safety net programme for the period starting from December 1.

“Housewives are encouraged to register and contribute to SKSSR for protection against domestic disasters, disability, or death while managing the household,” he said.

“I encourage husbands to pay the SKSSR contribution of RM120 a year for their respective wives in appreciation of their role and sacrifices towards the family.”

Sivakumar also called on non-governmental organisations and private companies to sponsor SKSSR contributions for the welfare of their employees as a form of corporate social responsibility.

Earlier, the minister had presented Social Security Organisation (Socso) benefits to contributor R. Chandran in Taman Desa Temiang, here.

Chandran, 40, while working as a salesman at a tobacco company near here, suffered an accident in 2012 and he received RM14,291.62 after being referred to a panel of doctors to determine permanent disability benefits.

The father of one suffered a right knee problem which left him unable to stand for prolonged periods nor perform physically intensive tasks.

Sivakumar said Socso was also looking for a new job for Chandran that suited his condition.

Socso also presented a benefit to private sector worker Leong Tai Hee, 49, who suffered from a stroke, which is a pension of RM2,757.08/month after being referred to a medical panel. – Bernama, June 18, 2023