Socso’s Lindung 24 Jam now voluntary for local workers, mandatory for foreign workers

Social Security Organisation (Socso) logo.

By DayakDaily

KUCHING, July 9: The Malaysia government has decided that contributions to Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) 24-Hour Protection Scheme (Lindung 24 Jam) will no longer be mandatory for local workers, but will instead be offered on a voluntary basis with immediate effect.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said the decision was made by the Cabinet after considering public feedback on the implementation of the scheme.

However, he added that contributions to the Lindung 24 Jam Scheme will remain compulsory for foreign workers and continue to be governed by existing legal provisions.

“Local workers may now choose whether to contribute to the Lindung 24 Jam Scheme based on their individual needs and considerations.

“The implementation mechanism and process for voluntary participation among local workers will be announced by Socso in the near future,” he said in a statement today.

Ramanan said that although participation is now voluntary for local workers, the scheme remains an important social security initiative that provides protection against accidents occurring outside working hours and outside the workplace, including those arising during daily activities.

He said the ministry will review the scheme’s implementation framework by the end of the year, including its policy direction, effectiveness, and fund sustainability, to ensure that Lindung 24 Jam continues to benefit the public.

“If necessary, the outcome of the review will be presented to Parliament together with proposed amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4),” he said.

Socso said it will continue to strengthen public awareness of the scheme’s benefits and the importance of social security protection. — DayakDaily