Social Security

Malaysia | SOCSO Introduces Lindung 24/7 Scheme—24-Hour worker protection

Summary

The Malaysian Social Security Organisation (SOCSO, locally known as Perkeso) has introduced the Lindung 24/7 Scheme through the Employees’ Social Security (Amendment) Act 2026 (“the Act”). Under this law, workers are now protected around the clock (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) not only for workplace injuries but also for accidents that may occur outside of work. This ensures that all eligible SOCSO contributors, including formal sector employees, have access to support whenever an accident happens.

The Act was gazetted on 5 March 2026 and will come into force on dates appointed by the Minister of Human Resources.

The detail

Based on the Act, “non‑employment injury” is now defined as a personal injury caused by an accident that does not arise out of and in the course of employment. An insured person who suffers a non‑employment injury is eligible for the same benefits as those available for employment‑related injuries (e.g., medical, temporary disablement, permanent disablement, dependents’ benefits), subject to conditions in the Act.

Key aspects of the scheme include:

Category	Details
Who is covered	All eligible SOCSO contributors, including formal sector employees.
What it covers	Accidents occurring outside working hours, including commuting and personal activities.
Benefits	Medical treatment for accidents Temporary or permanent disability support Financial support for dependants in the event of death Funeral assistance Long-term care support Rehabilitation and educational assistance
Contribution structure changes	Expanded Contribution Categories The Act has been amended so that both the first and second categories of contributions now include non-employment injury alongside employment injury and invalidity. Phased Implementation Contributions will be structured in three phases (First, Second, Third phases) as provided in the revised Third Schedule, gradually implementing the expanded contribution requirements for covering non‑employment injuries. Employer / Employee Obligations For non‑employment injury contributions, if an employee has more than one employer, they must choose one employer to collect the SOCSO contribution for this category. If no choice is made, the employer for contribution may be prescribed under Ministerial Regulations.
Limits and exclusions on non-employment injury	The Act clarifies that an insured person cannot claim benefits for non‑employment injuries if: The accident occurred outside Malaysia. The insured person is involved in acts punishable under Section 93 of the SOCSO Act (e.g., fraud). In the case of a foreign worker, there’s misuse of a valid immigration pass or breach of entry requirements. Injuries resulting from self‑employment or domestic work, and disease conditions, are not treated as non‑employment injuries under this Act (they are excluded from coverage)
Key features	Workers no longer need to be at work to receive SOCSO protection. The same benefits that apply to workplace injuries now also apply to accidents outside work. The system prevents double payments for the same injury while ensuring fair support for those affected. Certain cases, such as injuries outside Malaysia or self-inflicted accidents, are excluded from coverage.
Implementation	The law allows for three-phased implementation, with SOCSO providing official rollout dates. Employers may notice gradual changes in SOCSO contribution calculations as each phase begins, reflecting the expanded 24/7 coverage.
Why it matters	Lindung 24/7 guarantees workers are protected at all times, reflecting modern work and life realities. This is a significant step forward in worker safety, family protection and social security modernization.

To date, SOCSO has indicated that new contribution rates under the Lindung 24/7 Scheme will be introduced in phases, but formal rates and official rollout dates have not yet been published for employers (with implementation targeted for the third quarter of 2026). Until these are announced, employers should continue using the current SOCSO contribution amounts based on existing tables. Employers are advised to monitor SOCSO communications for updates on the phased contributions and new rate schedules, and HR and payroll teams should be ready to update systems once the official rates and dates are released. We will also follow up with an alert once the roll out dates and format rates are announced and published for employers.

How we can help

Our team is ready to support employers in navigating the new Lindung 24/7 Scheme, assisting with SOCSO contributions and ensuring full compliance with the amended law. We are equipped to calculate and remit contributions, provide guidance on phased rates, and help employers avoid errors or duplicate benefits. In addition, we offer practical support in updating internal HR policies, communicating the 24/7 protection to employees and managing audit and reporting requirements for regulatory compliance. We also provide insights into the cost implications of the expanded coverage and deliver strategic recommendations to optimize compliance while effectively managing workforce costs.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Hilda Liow 
Partner

Lim Phing Phing
Partner

Wee Lay Har
Director

Loh Zi-Lynn
Senior Manager

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