400k Malaysia-Singapore commuters to benefit from social security amendment

KUALA LUMPUR: An amendment that will benefit about 400,000 workers who commute daily between Malaysia and Singapore will be passed before the end of the year, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said.

A separate amendment introducing a post-maternity leave allowance for more than 132,000 women workers will also go before Parliament before the new year, he said.

The first amendment is to the Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789).

"We will make sure this is passed before we celebrate the new year, before the Parliament sitting closes," Ramanan said at the Social Security Organisation Media Awards 2026 night.

He said the second amendment, to the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800), concerned the post-maternity leave allowance.

"It is expected to benefit more than 132,000 women workers," he said.

Ramanan said both initiatives reflected the Madani government's efforts, through the Human Resources Ministry, to strengthen social protection and safeguard workers' welfare.

Also present were Social Security Organisation chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, its chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, and Media Prima Bhd chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Effendy Othman.

In June, Ramanan said the proposal for the Traveller Scheme, which provides social protection for Malaysians working abroad, particularly in Singapore, was in its final stages ahead of implementation.