SIBU: The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) is expanding its social protection coverage for self-employed individuals and housewives through the 2025 Community Farming Programme held at Rumah Maling, Sungai Aup here on Saturday.
The initiative promotes two key schemes, the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) and the Housewives’Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), aimed at improving social safety nets for informal workers and homemakers.
SOCSO Sibu Employment Services Officer Sheryl Raju said SKSPS, introduced in 2017, continues to receive strong government support with an increased subsidy for the 2025 contribution plan.
“For Contribution Plan 2 under SKSPS 2025, the government subsidises 70 per cent of the annual RM232.82 contribution. This means contributors only need to pay RM70 a year,”she said.
The scheme covers 13 self-employment categories, including farmers, fishermen, small traders, gig workers, and e-hailing drivers.
Meanwhile, under the SPS Madani 2025 scheme, the government fully funds the RM232.80 contribution, providing one-year protection for informal workers such as volunteers, religious site workers, and community rehabilitation aides.
As for SKSSR, Sheryl said the scheme is designed for Malaysian or permanent resident housewives under the age of 55, offering annual protection for RM120.
“Benefits include medical care, permanent disability payments, constant attendance allowance, physical rehabilitation, dialysis, funeral management, and survivors’pension,” she explained.
To date, over 400 housewives here have registered under SKSSR.
“For first-time participants, housewives must be 54 or younger and pay a one-off RM120 contribution for 12 months of protection,” she added.
Sheryl said the payment can be made by the housewife herself, her husband, family members, or third parties.
“If the husband chooses to contribute on behalf of his wife, the ‘once in, always in’ principle will be applied to ensure continuous protection,” she said.
She advised contributors to notify SOCSO within 60 days before the current coverage ends should they experience income loss.
Sheryl also urged more self-employed individuals and housewives to seize the opportunity to protect their future, in line with the government’s goal of expanding the national social safety network.
