what is perkeso

PERKESO (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial) is a government agency in Malaysia that provides social security protection to employees and their dependents through the Employment Injury Scheme and the Invalidity Scheme. It was established in 1971 under the Ministry of Human Resources (formerly known as the Ministry of Labour) to provide social security protections to all employees/workers in Malaysia. Some of the functions of PERKESO include registering employers and employees, collecting contributions from employers and employees, paying benefits to workers and/or their dependents when tragedy strikes, providing physical and vocational rehabilitation benefits, and promoting awareness of occupational safety and health. PERKESOs contributions are compulsory for all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents who are under a contract or apprenticeship in the private sector, as well as contractual or temp staff in the public sector. The rate of contribution is capped at RM 4,000. Non-Malaysian employees are only covered under the employment injury scheme as long as they contribute towards PERKESO. Some of the benefits provided by PERKESO include medical benefit, temporary disablement benefit, permanent disablement benefit, dependent’s benefit, constant-attendance allowance, funeral benefit, facilities for physical/vocational rehabilitation, and education benefit.