ONLY seven out of 150 food-delivery riders involved in road accidents during the movement-control order (MCO) period received Social Security Organisation (Socso) benefits.

This low number indicates that most gig economy workers are not Socso contributors and are unable to enjoy benefits when they are laid off or injured in accidents.

Noticing this trend over the past three months, Socso CEO Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed urged food-delivery service providers to get their riders registered as contributors.

Azman also urged them to take advantage of the government’s special gig economy programme to cover riders.

Federal traffic police data recently revealed that Foodpanda and GrabFood delivery riders were involved in 150 accidents between March 18 and June 19.

Of these, four cases were fatal.

“The accidents involving Foodpanda and GrabFood riders, as shown by police statistics, clearly indicate that there is a huge number of Foodpanda and GrabFood riders who are not covered by Socso’s scheme,” Azman told The Malaysian Insight.

“Socso urges platform-service providers, like Foodpanda, Grab Food and others, to utilise the incentives, such as PenjanaGig.”

The PenjanaGig programme allows gig workers to receive free Self-Employment and Social Security Scheme (SESSS) coverage for a year under Plan 2 (one-year contribution of RM232.80 per person), for which the government contributes 70% and gig platforms the remaining 30%.

This translates into the government contributing RM163 of SESSS Plan 2, while gig platforms pay RM69.80 per person.

On the recent accidents involving food-delivery riders, Azman said that six Foodpanda riders and one GrabFood rider received temporary disablement benefits under SESSS.

Azman also said that between March 18 and July 7, Socso paid out RM15,222 to seven riders.

So far, 4,455 self-employed in the goods and food transport sector are registered with Socso, he added.

Grab working with Socso

A Grab spokesman said the company is engaging with Socso to get its drivers and delivery partners to register with the fund.

The spokesman said the ride-hailing giant is using various mean to encourage partners to sign up for Socso’s scheme.

“It is something that we will continue to encourage our drivers and delivery partners to participate in, as we believe that it is important to have other forms of insurance to protect their income and their families,” the spokesman said.

Grab also ensures that all of its riders are covered by personal accident insurance.

“Our group personal accident insurance covers all GrabCar rides and it is a first-of-its-kind personal accident insurance for both drivers and passengers in the ride-sharing industry, at no additional cost,” the spokesman said.

“Through our Club Grab, we have introduced the GrabBenefits monthly 24/7 insurance plan, where active and top-performing partners are protected, even when they are not working, especially in the event of an accident, loss of limb or life, or to assist in medical claims reimbursement.”

Grab also provides personal accident travel insurance as added protection for riders during GrabFood and GrabExpress deliveries. – July 9, 2020.