GOMBAK: Out of a total 70,948 accident cases reported to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2022, some 32,440, or 45.7%, were road accidents, says V. Sivakumar.
The Human Resources Minister also said that in the same period, a total of 929 fatal accidents were reported.
"Of that number, 651 cases, or 70% of the fatal accidents, took place during the journey to and from work.
"As such, I want to remind all workers to always be careful while on the road and continue improving the level of personal safety," he said here at Batu Caves on Tuesday (March 14).
Earlier, Sivakumar presented Socso contributions and extended condolences to Edna Hipolito Amos, the widow of lorry driver Lee Eng Dong, who passed away on Feb 27 following an accident on the North-South Highway while working.
Also present was Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Edna will receive the dependent interest payment (FOT) of RM3,795 per month and the one-time funeral management benefit of RM2,000.
"The late Lee, 61 met with an accident on Feb 15, which caused brain injury. He passed away after 12 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), leaving behind his wife and four children.
"Following news of his accident, Socso Prihatin Squad immediately contacted Lee's employer to gather information. The case was accepted as a work fatality case, and his dependents were deemed eligible for benefits under the Occupational Disaster Scheme, Employee Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4)," Sivakumar said.
Taking heed from the accident case that befell the late Lee, Sivakumar urged all employers to continue contributing for their employees even if the employee was older than 60.
This is to ensure they and their families get protection under the Socso Occupational Disaster Scheme, he added.
