PERKESO pays out around RM421mil annually for sugar-related ailments like diabetes, says Steven Sim

KUALA LUMPUR: Sugar-related ailments such as diabetes are costing the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) payouts of about US$100mil (RM421mil) annually, says Steven Sim (pic).

The Human Resources Minister highlighted PERKESO’s efforts in actively embarking on occupational safety and health matters, actively wanting to contribute to the prevention of workplace mishaps.

“We also do free medical checks to ensure our workers are happy. A low sugar campaign was also launched recently to deal with diabetes.

“Sugar and diabetes are costing PERKESO almost US$100mil a year in payouts and other benefits.

“We want to reduce incidents of accidents, disasters or occupational hazards even before they happen,” he said at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) here on Friday (Oct 3).

Sim said this during a panel session during the WSSF Summit together with counterparts from other countries.

During the same session, Sim said he is planning to table a new Bill aimed at providing round the clock protection to all Malaysian workers.

“This not only deals with the issue of changing work hours, fatigue and stress after work, but also bridges the gap between those covered by private insurance and those who are not,” he said.

“Extending the 24 hour social security insurance to workers can resolve many different problems at the same time,” he said.

The five-day event, which ran until yesterday (Oct 3), positioned Kuala Lumpur as the hub of international dialogue on social protection.

Organised by ISSA, it was co hosted by the PERKESO and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), with support from Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) or KWAP, and the implementation coordination unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM).

WSSF 2025 carried the theme, “Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition.”