KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Resources Ministry, through the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, will propose to the cabinet to provide free Socso protection for about two million B40 housewives nationwide.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said that following discussions, the ministry saw the need to protect the group, which had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that had put many breadwinner husbands out of work.
“However, this will depend on the government’s financial position...in this pandemic situation, if the husband is out of work and the wife has some chronic illness, they have no safety net.
“As a government that cares and prioritises the people’s welfare, we recommend that this move be considered to provide two million B40 housewives a free safety net,” he said after presenting Socso benefits to the widow of the late Vijaya Kumaran T. Veerasamy here today.
Vijaya died on May 21 after suffering brain damage following a road accident on April 12, last year.
Prior to this, the deceased’s medical treatment, including an implant surgery worth RM23,000, were fully paid by Socso.
Earlier, the government had agreed to make contributions to some 150,000 women in the B40 group registered under e-Kasih.
Meanwhile, on the labour shortage in the plantation sector, Saravanan said that the country currently needed 100,000 workers in the sector, but the ministry would continue to prioritise locals to fill job vacancies.
“Migrant workers will be hired as a last resort,” he said, adding that locals would be prioritised despite pressure from plantation sector employers and the fact that this could affect national income. – Bernama, September 18, 2021
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