KLANG, May 30 — Only 35 per cent or a total of 176,883 housewives are being protected under the Housewives’ Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) as of yesterday compared to the target of 500,000 housewives set by the Human Resources Ministry for this year.

Minister V. Sivakumar said the government strongly encouraged all housewives under the age of 55 to get covered and husbands to contribute to the scheme on behalf of their wives for their protection and welfare.

The SKSSR enforced on December 1 last year was introduced under the Housewives’ Social Security Act 2022, aimed at providing social security protection to housewives from domestic disasters and disability while managing households.

"I also strongly encourage third parties such as non-governmental organisations and private companies to sponsor this contribution for housewives,” he said in a press conference after presenting the benefits of the Social Security Organisation (Socso) to the recipients here today.

He said as of May 24, RM167,000 in SKSSR benefits had been paid to insured housewives and their families, proving that the scheme could provide protection for the beneficiaries should they be involved in accidents, or experience disabilities or deaths when managing households.

Meanwhile, Sivakumar said the ministry is aiming for one million gig economy workers to contribute to Socso to protect them from various risks while on the job. — Bernama