Social security scheme for ‘house husbands’ being studied, says HR Minister’s political secretary

KUCHING (Aug 18): The Ministry of Human Resources has given the directive to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to study if the concept of Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) could be extended to ‘house husbands’.

Dr Kelvin Yii, the political secretary to the Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, says the ministry is now hoping to get the result from Socso’s research into the matter.

“You know, right, when it comes to insurance, they (Socso) need to study on the possibility of coverage, sustainability of the scheme and everything,” he said when met after the launch of the ‘MyFutureJobs Career Carnival’ and a session on SKSSR, at Boulevard Shopping Mall2 here yesterday.

“If they (male homemakers) are not eligible under this scheme (SKSSR), then we need to see if there are other schemes under Socso (that they are eligible for).

“The minister’s intention is to ensure everyone gets proper and reasonable coverage.

“The requests have been brought up to the minister (Sim) ever since he assumed the post.

“Basically, there are men doing housework (full-time). They’re asking if they’re also protected under the scheme,” said Dr Yii, who is Bandar Kuching MP.

He had, earlier in his speech, spoke about the ministry looking into the SKSSR’s extension to ‘house husbands’.

Adding on, Dr Yii said Democratic Action Party (DAP), where he is the Youth chief, had allocated 200 vouchers for free registration and first-year settlement of the SKSSR at the Socso booth set up at the mall here.

Stampin MP and DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen officiated at the event.

In his remarks, Chong called upon all to help relay information from one to another, regarding the SKSSR benefits for housewives.

Describing the scheme as ‘the best and cheapest form of insurance coverage, at an annual premium of RM120 per year’, Chong said all deserving housewives, up till the age of 55, ‘should have it’.

“Without good housewives, men cannot do well in their careers, children cannot perform well in school.

“This means housewives should at least be given recognition and protection through the SKSSR,” said Chong, also the assemblyman for Padungan.

Twenty early-bird SKSSR applicants who applied for the scheme via DAP vouchers joined in photo-calls with Chong, Dr Yii, Socso Sarawak director Tan Phang Chia and Kho Teck Wan, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier who represented Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the event.

Meanwhile, the career carnival featured 1,440 vacancies from 152 various positions being offered.

In his welcoming speech, Tan said 572 early-bird interviewees underwent the on-the-spot sessions.

“I need to stress that the prospective employers should be less stringent when looking for potential employees, in that they (employers) are required to provide the working experience.

“How could they (job-seekers) gain experience and realise their potential if they’re not offered jobs?” he said.

The SKSSR was introduced in December 2022 with the aim of improving social protection by including widows and single mothers, providing them coverage against domestic disasters, disability, illnesses and infirmity.

The monthly contribution under this scheme is RM10.

For the period between Dec 1 last year and June 15 this year, a total of 46,604 housewives in Sarawak had registered with the SKSSR.

“On top of getting the SKSSR protection, the women themselves are encouraged to contribute to Socso as part of their saving initiatives,” said Tan.