KUALA LUMPUR: An accident can turn a worker's life upside down, with recovery often requiring more than medical treatment. Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said its Lindung 24 Jam scheme provides eligible workers with access to treatment and rehabilitation following accidents occurring outside working hours.
Under its "Care Beyond Compensation" approach, eligible workers can receive rehabilitation equipment and injury-related implants, as well as physical rehabilitation at Perkeso's rehabilitation centres.
"This includes treatment at government hospitals or Perkeso panel hospitals, funding for rehabilitation equipment and injury-related implants, as well as physical rehabilitation at Perkeso-managed centres and access to vocational support to help workers return to their normal lives and jobs.
"This approach is important because the impact of an accident goes beyond medical bills, affecting income and the financial well-being of the worker's family," he told the New Straits Times.
Introduced on June 1, Lindung 24 Jam complements other Perkeso protections, with benefits subject to eligibility requirements and the nature of the injury.
Azman said a major challenge for workers involved in accidents was the possibility of disability that could affect their ability to work and disrupt their income.
"Typically, employers provide full wages for the first two months of medical leave, followed by half wages if the leave is extended into the third and fourth months.
"However, workers may no longer receive wages if they have to remain on medical leave from the fifth month onwards.
"Lindung 24 Jam helps ease this burden through the Temporary Disablement Benefit, which replaces income during approved medical leave.
"This helps ensure that workers' income is not disrupted when they suffer accidents outside working hours."
Under Section 52 of the Employees' Social Security Act, employers are also prohibited from dismissing or penalising workers while they receive Perkeso's Temporary Disablement Benefit.
If an injury results in permanent disability or death, other benefits are available, subject to the stipulated conditions.
These include Permanent Disablement Benefit, Dependants' Benefit and Funeral Benefit.
For workers who rely on daily wages, even a brief illness or injury can affect their ability to meet daily expenses and support their families.
Income replacement through the Temporary Disablement Benefit under the Employment Injury Scheme is therefore an important component of social protection.
Azman said personal insurance and Perkeso protection served different but complementary purposes.
While private medical insurance generally covers treatment according to the terms of the policy, Perkeso provides a broader social security safety net that can include income replacement, rehabilitation and long-term benefits, depending on the circumstances.
"Perkeso protection is not merely about cash payments when misfortune strikes. It covers treatment, rehabilitation, income replacement and long-term benefits, depending on the type of injury or circumstances.
"Having personal insurance does not necessarily mean a person no longer needs social security protection.
"The most important message is that accidents can happen at any time, anywhere and under any circumstances.
"Lindung 24 Jam was introduced to provide workers and their families with an additional layer of protection when unexpected risks arise," Azman said.
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