KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 — The proposed amendment to the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 is expected to be tabled at the next Parliamentary session, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan.
The amendment, which aims to expand the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) coverage to include Malaysians working overseas, would be tabled in Parliament after Cabinet approval.
“The Deputy Minister and I will bring this Bill to Parliament after receiving approval from the Cabinet, and the Act will be enforced this year once it is passed in Parliament, as the safety and health of workers cannot be left unattended,” he said.
Ramanan was speaking to the media after officiating the National-Level World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 celebration today. Also present was Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
He added that the move is important to ensure that the safety and welfare of Malaysian workers abroad, especially those working in neighbouring countries, continue to be safeguarded.
Ramanan said that 480,000 Malaysians commute to Singapore for work, while 54 fatal accidents were recorded last year, emphasising that this group also deserved the same level of protection as other workers in Malaysia.
The scheme had been carefully designed to prevent abuse, with SOCSO also having a clear basis for its implementation.
Meanwhile, the event also saw the launch of the Guidelines for Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (Construction Work) (Design and Management), 2026 Edition.
Khairul said the guidelines had been improved not only to strengthen the governance of occupational safety and health, particularly in the high-risk construction sector, but also to place greater emphasis on workers’ mental health.
“We have often emphasised workplace safety, but we do not take issues such as depression, bullying and mental health problems at work seriously.
“Therefore, for this year’s celebration, we are highlighting the theme ‘Together to Ensure a Healthy Psychosocial Work Environment’ so that these issues can be addressed more comprehensively,” he said.
Khairul noted that the ministry, through relevant agencies, provides employers, including those in the gig economy, with guidelines, briefings, and support services to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
