SHAH ALAM: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong will meet his Cabinet colleague to discuss ways to protect freelance workers and stringers or part-timers in the media and creative industry.
Sim said he had contacted Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil over the issue.
He said there were currently around 30,000 freelance workers in the sector, adding that he wanted the coverage of Social Security Organisation (Socso) to be expanded, including the Self-Employed Social Security Scheme.
“Media and creative industry workers have uncertain working hours... and there may be incidents that expose them to dangers in the workplace. So, we understand the urgent need to protect this group.
“I have contacted Fahmi and he shares the same stance. We will meet soon to discuss methods to expand Socso’s coverage, especially for workers in the media and creative industry,” he said.
Sim was quoted by Bernama after presenting contributions from his ministry, along with Socso, to RTM newsroom staff Marlia Mohamed, 43, here yesterday.
Marlia, who was first diagnosed with diabetes after giving birth to her only son in 2009, had her left leg amputated up to the thigh due to a bacterial infection in November last year.
