I am surprised that about 7,000 e-hailing and taxi drivers are already contributing to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
In February 2017, Socso chief executive Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said it will be compulsory for all self-employed taxi drivers to register with Socso under the Employment Injury Scheme.
Two months later, the Self Employment Social Security Bill 2017 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat, authorising Socso to provide insurance for self-employed persons, starting with e-hailing and taxi drivers.
The Bill states that any person who contravenes these regulations is committing an offence and will be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years or both.
In March 2017, I expressed concern that these drivers would have difficulty coughing up between RM157.20 and RM592.80 to register with Socso, and to continue paying the same every year.
For the vast majority not making any claim, it will be the last time they see their money, as only those injured will receive compensation.
The scheme was launched on June 13 that year but only 120 signed up during the first week.
This led to Mohammed Azman saying that drivers will be given until the end of 2017 to make their contributions. Those who failed to do so will be barred from renewing their Public Service Vehicle licence.
Earlier this month, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran said e-hailing and taxi drivers must contribute to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme through Socso beginning next year after postponing it from November 1.
He reiterated the same when in Kuching last Thursday when presenting a cheque for RM2,000 to Lo Kok Ping, 47, a family member of the victim of a gas explosion in Cityone Megamall, in the form of funeral benefit payment.
The next day, Kulasegaran visited Socso Miri branch office and disclosed that less than 10 per cent of the 300 e-hailing and taxi drivers in the city are registered with Socso.
But even if the scheme is opened to all self-employed persons, it would be difficult to register more than 20,000, more so when it is now restricted to e-hailing and taxi drivers. But forcing the scheme down on the rakyat is unnecessary and unfair.
As it is, most taxi drivers are already living from hand-to-mouth, particularly the elderly who could not adapt to e-hailing and had to wait in queue at shopping malls and taxi stands for the remaining passengers that still use street-hailing for transport.
Nearly all taxi drivers prefer to pay cheaper third-party insurance cover for their taxis and are prepared to risk accidental damage to their vehicles and injuries while driving, just like most private car drivers.
Although the intention is noble, the government has no business to force them to pay for comprehensive insurance for their taxis or insure their earnings, which may just be a few hundred ringgit a month for pocket money.
YS Chan,
Kuala Lumpur
