Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Abdul Halim Mansor has rejected his secretary-general’s call for nationwide pickets against Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) Lindung 24 Jam scheme, saying dialogue should be prioritised instead.
His remarks came after MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor announced plans to hold pickets at Socso offices nationwide over the implementation of the Non-Employment Injury Scheme (SKBBK) and the additional 0.75 percent contribution imposed on workers.
“As MTUC president, I respect the right of every trade union leader to voice their views and champion workers’ interests. At the same time, I do not agree with the proposal to hold pickets at this juncture,” Halim said in a statement yesterday.
“Picketing is one of the legitimate instruments in the trade union struggle. However, on the issue of Lindung 24 Jam, I believe a better approach would be to continue dialogue and discuss any concerns workers may have openly and based on facts.”
He also disputed suggestions that the scheme had been introduced without sufficient consultation, saying engagement on extending Socso protection beyond working hours had taken place for years.
According to Halim (above), sessions were held at 13 locations nationwide as early as 2018, involving more than 1,400 participants, including MTUC.
Under SKBBK, employees contribute 0.75 percent of their wages during the first two years, with workers bearing the contribution entirely.
The scheme, which took effect on June 1, provides Socso protection for accidents occurring outside working hours and unrelated to employment.
It was initially mandatory, but the cabinet reversed the policy on July 8 following public feedback, making participation voluntary for local workers while retaining compulsory coverage for foreign workers.
Contributions, protection go hand in hand
Halim noted concerns over the cost to workers but said contributions could not be considered separately from the protection provided.
“However, we also cannot discuss contributions without discussing the protection that comes with them,” he said, questioning calls for Socso to stop collecting contributions.
“When contributions stop, protection also stops.
“We cannot ask for contributions for a particular form of protection to be stopped while at the same time expecting benefits to continue to be provided when workers suffer accidents outside the course of their employment,” he stressed.
Citing previous media reports, he said about 45 cases a day had been recorded under Lindung 24 Jam.
“To me, this figure is important because it shows that accidents outside working hours are not merely a theoretical risk or something that happens rarely.
“They happen every day,” he said.
The Socso CEO salary debate
Halim also rejected attempts to link the debate over the scheme with questions surrounding the remuneration of Socso’s CEO.
“The remuneration of the head of an organisation should be assessed based on the scale of responsibility, organisational complexity, performance and the applicable governance framework, rather than viewed in isolation from the responsibilities involved,” he said.
Kamarul had previously cited questions raised in Parliament over claims that the CEOs of Socso, HRD Corp and TalentCorp earned between RM90,000 and RM120,000 a month.
Halim further said MTUC should continue addressing workers’ concerns through engagement.
“If contribution rates need to be discussed, let us discuss them. If implementation can be improved, let us improve it. If there are workers’ concerns that have yet to be answered, let us listen and find solutions.
“But in questioning contributions, let us not end up undermining the very protection workers themselves need,” he said. - Mkini
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