Self-employed workers, including food delivery drivers, to contribute to Socso

The government, in its budget presentation for 2023 today, mandated Socso contributions for self-employed individuals, especially in high-risk sectors such as the delivery of goods and food, to ensure the welfare and well-being of those in this segment of the economy. 

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said that in 2020, only a small number of gig workers such as food delivery riders were able to afford social security while on the job. 

He said after the government contributions through the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), more self-employed workers were able to obtain protection. 

"Next year, the government will make SKSPS contributions mandatory for all self-employed sectors, especially the high-risk sectors, in stages," he said. 

"In order to reduce the burden on the workers themselves, 80% of Socso contributions will be borne by the government. This means that self-employed people such as food delivery drivers, farmers, fishermen and hawkers only pay 20% of the total contribution," he said when presenting the text of the 2023 budget in Parliament today.
 
He said the initiative would involve a cost of RM150 million and would start with those in the transport sector who deliver food or goods.