Govt introduces i-Saraan Plus to strengthen protection for gig, e-hailing, p-hailing workers

SHAH ALAM – The government has introduced the i-Saraan Plus scheme to enhance social protection for gig, e-hailing and p-hailing workers, offering a matching contribution incentive of up to RM600 a year, or RM6,000 throughout their working life.

Finance Minister and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 2026 Budget tabling at the Parliament building, today. - Photo by Bernama

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative aimed to encourage Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions among self-employed individuals while ensuring that informal workers were not left without social protection.

“Many who are self-employed, especially the younger generation, struggle to contribute towards their own safety net,” he said when tabling the 2026 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

Anwar said the existing i-Saraan scheme will also continue for other informal or self-employed workers, with a matching contribution of up to RM500 a year, or RM5,000 over a lifetime.

He added that the Gig Workers Act 2025 now makes it mandatory for gig workers to contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

“The government has agreed to bear 70 per cent of the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme contributions for gig workers in sectors not yet mandated, for those registering for the first time.

“A 50 per cent incentive will be given in the second year,” he said.

Anwar who is also the Prime Minister also announced that jobseekers or new graduates who secured employment that required them to relocate will receive a Socso incentive of up to RM1,000.

Meanwhile, for housewives, the eligibility age for the i-Suri scheme has been increased to 60 years, in line with the minimum retirement age.

In addition, Anwar said Socso will strengthen its rehabilitation facilities, with new and upgraded centres in Melaka, Perak, Terengganu, and the latest in Penang, which will have a 250-bed capacity.

“Socso will also increase the maximum rate for hemodialysis treatment from RM150 to RM170 per session, involving an additional RM52 million annually,” he said.