Sim is having a discussion with the ISSA team during his working visit to Geneva.
GENEVA: Malaysia is set to take a leading role in efforts to enhance social protection both locally and globally during the upcoming World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that this international forum is very timely, as countries worldwide, including Malaysia, are currently facing new challenges related to social security.
He explained that the primary issues to be addressed include the direct impact of an aging population and the sustainability of pension funds, as well as developing the best social security system for gig workers.
“WSSF 2025 is expected to be a platform for the world to share appropriate strategies and forward-looking measures to ensure these challenges are tackled starting now.
“We cannot afford to be complacent and delay, as the aging population phenomenon will have profound effects, including on current projections regarding the sustainability of pension funds for gig workers.
“Hence, the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) is holding discussions with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) to ensure that WSSF 2025 can achieve its goals and reflect Malaysia’s commitment to human rights and social protection, especially for workers,” he said in a statement today.
On June 13, during his first official working visit to Geneva, Sim also held discussions with the ISSA team at its headquarters to refine several agendas, particularly in strengthening the social safety net in Malaysia and examining the development of the gig economy sector.
Discussions also focused on the agenda behind the 'Technical Seminar: Social Security for Self-employed and Platform Workers' scheduled for Aug 27-28 at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The seminar, a collaboration between Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), ISSA, and Kesuma, will be a crucial platform to address current issues and plan effective solutions to protect workers in the gig economy.
Since its establishment in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ISSA now has 324 member institutions from 163 countries worldwide.
Through international cooperation, Perkeso, which has been a member of ISSA since 1974, has implemented various improvements to ensure the sustainability of Malaysia's social safety net.
Also present were Perkeso’s strategy and transformation division head Edmund Cheong Peck Huang; ISSA secretary-general Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano and ISSA social security development director Raul Ruggia-Frick.
Meanwhile, Sim said that Malaysia is currently actively pursuing improvements through amendments to related acts to comply with the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention 1952 (Convention 102).
He said such efforts align with the government’s commitment to policy and public institution reforms, which are among the principles of the Madani Government.
“With the ratification of Convention 102, Malaysia can further strengthen social protection and ensure adequate benefits for workers and their families,” he added.
