Taxi, private car drivers to be covered under Socso protection scheme

Taxi drivers and other self-employed groups will be able to benefit from a social security protection scheme to be introduced this year.

Social Security Organisation (Socso) chief executive Datuk Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said under the scheme, these individuals would enjoy the same benefits extended to workers covered by Socso.

"Based on the same approach they will be covered in the event of incidents such as accidents, injuries and deaths," he told reporters after presenting contributions in conjunction with Chinese New Year celebration at Wisma Perkeso, here today.

He said under the scheme, taxi drivers as well as Uber and Grab car drivers using their private vehicles to carry passengers would be covered under the scheme in protecting the welfare the self-employed.

In tabling Budget 2017 in October last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the government's RM60 million special financial grant for the implementation of the scheme.

Mohammed Azman said Socso and the Human Resources Ministry were taking steps to present the bill in Parliament in March, in order for the scheme to be enforced by June 1.

Earlier Mohammed Azman presented hampers and cash to 60 Socso beneficiaries comprising single mothers and orphans as part of the organisation's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. - BERNAMA