Cabinet’s U-turn on Lindung 24 Jam leaves workers short-changed

 

TRADE unions, workers and civil society organisations welcomed the government’s decision to introduce the Lindung 24 Jam SOCSO protection scheme after decades of advocating broader social security coverage for workers.

Scheduled to take effect in June 2026, the initiative was an important step towards providing workers with round-the-clock protection against injuries.

There were concerns over the additional monthly contribution of 0.75% of an employee’s salary, particularly because workers were expected to bear the full cost.

Nevertheless, there was broad support for the scheme itself because it addressed a long-standing gap in Malaysia’s social security system.

It is therefore difficult to understand why the Cabinet subsequently decided to make participation voluntary for Malaysian workers.

Even more puzzling is the decision to make the scheme compulsory for migrant workers while allowing Malaysians to opt out. Social security should protect all workers equally, regardless of nationality.

Introducing different standards for different groups of workers raises serious questions about fairness and consistency.

Having served as the workers’ representative (assessor) on the Social Security (SOCSO) Appellate Board, I have seen one too many injury claims rejected because the injuries did not fall within the definition of an employment injury.

Many workers who suffered serious injuries outside working hours found themselves without the protection they expected. The Lindung 24 Jam scheme was designed precisely to address this gap by extending coverage beyond the workplace.

That is why the government’s change of course is so disappointing.

The Human Resources Ministry and SOCSO would not have developed the scheme without carefully assessing its purpose and long-term benefits. Their efforts recognised a genuine need to strengthen social protection for Malaysian workers.

By making participation voluntary, the Cabinet has weakened what could have been a significant reform.

Social security is not a luxury. It is a basic safety net that protects workers and their families when illness, disability or injury strikes unexpectedly.

Ensuring adequate protection should be a shared responsibility of the government, employers and society as a whole.

Malaysia already makes contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the SOCSO Employment Injury Scheme and the Invalidity Pension Scheme compulsory because these programmes provide essential protection. The same principle should apply to Lindung 24 Jam.

Making the scheme mandatory would ensure wider coverage, reduce uncertainty and provide workers with greater peace of mind.

It would also reflect the government’s commitment to protecting those whose labour contributes to the country’s economic growth.

A progressive policy should not be diluted before it even begins. The Cabinet should reconsider its decision and restore Lindung 24 Jam as a mandatory scheme for all workers. That would be a fairer, more consistent and more compassionate outcome. 

K. Veeriah is a trade unionist.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia