LINDUNG 24 Jam followed consultations with multiple parties since 2018, MTUC says

Malaysia’s LINDUNG 24 Jam scheme was not introduced hastily, according to Malaysian Trade Union Congress President Abdul Halim Mansor. He said its development followed consultations with workers, employers, unions and other stakeholders beginning in 2018.

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I myself, as a workers’ representative on the Social Security Organisation board since 2005, was involved in discussions with the organisation as the scheme’s concept and implementation were detailed.

The discussions took place at 13 locations nationwide and involved more than 1,400 participants. Abdul Halim said he also took part in talks with the Social Security Organisation as a workers’ representative on its board, a position he has held since 2005.

He said the process showed that LINDUNG 24 Jam was not a unilateral decision by the Social Security Organisation. The scheme is intended to cover accidents outside working hours, including incidents at home, with family, during sports or while handling daily affairs.

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This fact shows that LINDUNG 24 Jam was not a unilateral decision by the Social Security Organisation, but the result of a long process of study and consultation.

Such accidents can leave workers unable to work and affect household income and family life, Abdul Halim said. He added that voluntary participation by local workers showed that public views had been considered, but workers still needed clear explanations of contributions, benefits and the risks of not joining. Differences over contribution rates or implementation, he said, could continue through dialogue without dismissing the scheme’s importance to workers and their families.

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Workers must be given a complete explanation of contributions, protection benefits and the risks if they choose not to participate.