SOCSO Non-Employment Injury Coverage to Start in June 2026
The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), also known as PERKESO, has introduced coverage for “non-employment injuries,” effective June 2026, through Act A1788 (the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026).
Previously, SOCSO coverage mainly focused on employment-related injuries occurring during work.
But, under the new 24-hour protection scheme called “Lindung 24 Jam” or “Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja,” employees will also receive protection for “non-employment injuries,” which refer to accidents that happen outside working hours and are not directly related to work duties.
The changes come after over tens of thousands of SOCSO claims, involving accidents outside working hours, were rejected between 2023 and October 2025 under existing laws.
As many as 12,306 claims were classified as non-employment injuries, leading families to cover the costs of their treatment and rehabilitation on their own, noted Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim and reported the New Strait Times.
Contributions for the Non-Employment Injury scheme will be fully borne by employees but the responsibility to implement it is the employer’s.
Employers will need to deduct the applicable contribution from employees’ wages and submit it to SOCSO alongside the already existing regular monthly SOCSO contributions.
Employee contribution rates for the scheme will be introduced in three phases starting June 2026. The exact contribution amount will be determined based on monthly wages as has been noted in the amendment tables.
Additional Information:
- The changes will apply to both SOCSO contribution categories:
- Category 1 (First Category): Employment Injury and Invalidity Scheme.
- Category 2 (Second Category): Employment Injury Scheme Only.
- The two SOCSO contribution categories categories will now be named as follows:
- First Category (Employment Injury, Invalidity and Non-Employment Injury Scheme)
- Second Category (Employment Injury and Non-Employment Injury Scheme)
- The first SOCSO category applies to employees below 60, including foreign workers, who first contribute to SOCSO before the age of 55.
- Employees under the first category are covered under the Employment Injury Scheme, Invalidity Scheme, and the new Non-Employment Injury protection.
- The second category applies to Malaysian and foreign employees aged 60 and above, including foreign workers,who first contribute to SOCSO at age 55 or older.
- Employees under the second category are covered under the Employment Injury Scheme and the new Non-Employment Injury protection.
Exceptions to “Lindung 24 Jam” :
- The scheme does not cover accidents occurring outside of Malaysia.
- Insured foreign workers who misuse valid immigration passes or permits by the Director General of Immigration or violate any entry under the Immigration Act 1959/63 [Act 155] are not eligible for coverage.
- Self-employment injuries covered under Act 789 are not included under the scheme.
- Domestic injuries covered under Act 838 are excluded from protection.
- Illnesses and medical conditions such as diabetes, fever, and high blood pressure are not covered under the Non-Employment Injury scheme.
