The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has launched the third edition of its Festival Mega iLINDUNG, providing an opportunity for workers across various sectors to re-enroll in the Lindung 24 Jam social protection scheme. The event, held at Strand Mall in Kota Damansara and officiated yesterday by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, aims to extend social security coverage and raise public awareness about available benefits.
Introduced on June 1, the Lindung 24 Jam scheme offers eligible employees continuous social security protection against non-work-related accidents occurring within Malaysia. This initiative responds to changing work patterns and broadens coverage to include gig economy participants and self-employed individuals, a move highlighted by PERKESO board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal during the event. He stressed the importance of inclusivity, emphasizing that both salaried and self-employed workers should understand their rights to social security protection.
The three-day festival, expected to conclude tomorrow, has attracted an estimated 60,000 visitors so far. A notable moment during the event was the symbolic contribution to the Lindung Kendiri scheme, where companies such as foodpanda, Grab, and Halo pledged approximately RM1.5 million. This funding will support around 500 e-hailing drivers and delivery riders, illustrating the organization’s commitment to expanding protection to gig workers.
In addition to social security services, the festival incorporated employment opportunities through MYFutureJobs, PERKESO’s job-matching platform. Twenty-five employers participated, offering nearly 2,000 vacancies with monthly salaries ranging from RM2,000 to RM12,000. Minister Ramanan highlighted the platform’s role in providing career counseling, reskilling, and labor market insights, aimed at assisting contributors in maintaining employment and financial stability.
Moreover, the event announced a RM48,000 contribution under the Lindung Kasih scheme to extend social protection to 400 homemakers from the Sungai Buloh constituency. The festival’s services allowed visitors to review their contribution records, register for schemes, seek advice on benefits, and undergo health screenings. An on-site Lindung 24 Jam service counter facilitated immediate re-enrollment for workers who had previously opted out.
The festival also featured collaboration with 11 agencies under the Human Resources Ministry, including the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit, Human Resource Development Corporation, Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and Skills Development Fund Corporation. This integration created a comprehensive platform for employment services, skills development, and worker welfare.
Family-friendly activities, food vendors, and recreational facilities such as a pickleball court complemented the event, which also included celebrity appearances by Kamal Adli and Elly Mazlein, enhancing engagement with the public. The ongoing Festival Mega iLINDUNG initiative reflects PERKESO’s efforts to make social protection more accessible and to adapt to the diverse needs of Malaysia’s workforce.