The Dewan Negara has passed the Employees’ Social Security Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 [Act 4], formally rolling out 24-hour accident coverage for all formal-sector employees contributing to Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).
Tabled by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, the amendments introduce the 24-Hour Protection Scheme, extending coverage beyond traditional working hours and removing the requirement to prove that an accident occurred during official work time.
The move reflects Malaysia’s evolving labour landscape, marked by hybrid work models and flexible arrangements that have blurred the line between work and personal life.
The scheme is expected to benefit more than 9.6 million active contributors, while closing long-standing protection gaps by addressing 12,306 accident claims rejected between 2023 and October 2025 for being classified as outside working hours.
Benefits under the scheme include medical treatment, temporary and permanent disablement benefits, dependants’ benefits, constant attendance allowance, funeral benefits, physical or vocational rehabilitation, and education loan facilities.
The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) said the reform will reduce the financial burden on workers and their families and lift Malaysia’s social protection standards closer to those of advanced economies.
MOHR added that implementation of the scheme will be closely monitored to ensure effective, transparent and timely delivery of benefits once it comes into force.
