Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan announced that an amendment to the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789) will be passed before the end of the year, benefiting about 400,000 workers who commute daily between Malaysia and Singapore. He made the announcement at the Social Security Organisation Media Awards 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, according to a report dated 12 November.
A second amendment, to the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), will go before Parliament before the new year, introducing a post-maternity leave allowance expected to benefit more than 132,000 women workers. Ramanan said both measures reflect the Madani government's efforts to strengthen social protection, and that he wanted them passed before Parliament's sitting closes.
In June, the minister said a proposal for a Traveller Scheme, which provides social protection for Malaysians working abroad, especially in Singapore, was in its final stages. For workers, the changes could mean better coverage in case of accidents or job loss, but eligibility rules and contribution rates will only be clear once the amendments are tabled and gazetted.
News sources (nofollow): AJA Newsbites
