Over 129,000 female gig workers register for PERKESO protection

KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 129,102 female gig workers registered with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) were covered under the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) as of June 30, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said.

He said the figure forms part of the 1.11 million gig workers nationwide registered under the scheme, which protects against work-related accidents and occupational diseases while carrying out their duties.

"Based on PERKESO statistics as of June 30, 2026, a total of 1,113,017 gig workers nationwide were registered and covered under the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme.

"Of that total, 129,102 were women,” he said in response to a question from Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani on women’s participation in the gig economy and their social security coverage during the Senate sitting today.

Khairul Firdaus said that between Jan 1 and June 30, 2026, a total of 4,507 self-employed individuals, including gig workers, received benefits under the scheme, involving payouts amounting to RM15.19 million.

He added that PERKESO also provides social security protection specifically for women through the "Lindung Kasih” scheme, which requires an annual contribution of RM120.

"From Jan 1 to June 30, 2026, a total of 48,180 women nationwide contributed to the Lindung Kasih scheme. During the same period, benefits amounting to RM2.55 million were disbursed to 3,358 women.

"The benefits include permanent disability benefits, funeral benefits, constant-attendance allowance, invalidity allowance, survivors’ pension, physical rehabilitation, and dialysis treatment,” he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Norhasmimi on measures to protect female gig workers from risks such as sexual harassment, violence, and safety threats while working, particularly among delivery riders and e-hailing drivers, Khairul Firdaus said the matter is addressed under the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872).

He said Part 9 of the Act contains provisions on occupational safety, empowering the Director-General of Occupational Safety and Health to enforce compliance with safety and health obligations by both contracting entities and gig workers.

He added that cases involving sexual harassment can also be addressed under the provisions of the recently approved Sexual Harassment Tribunal Act, which provides an additional avenue of protection for gig workers. - BERNAMA