THE Human Resources Ministry must explain what happened to the Housewife Social Safety Scheme under the Social Security Organisation that was promised last year, said M. Kula Segaran.

He also criticised current human resources Minister M. Saravanan, saying that the scheme initiated during the Pakatan Harapan administration was supposed to start last year, as promised by the current administration.

“Saravanan promised to introduce the scheme in January this year, but nothing has been done so far.

“It would have been the perfect gift for all mothers in the country in conjunction with Mother’s Day today. It would have been a perfect acknowledgment of their contributions to the nation.”

The former human resources minister urged the prime minister to immediately look into this matter.

The government “must not let our wives and mothers down”, he added.

The DAP lawmaker said if PH was still in power, the scheme would have already materialised.

“During the PH administration, the draft law was completed and would have covered millions of housewives.

“If PH was still in power, this benefit and protection would have reached all of them.”

Saravanan last year said housewives and stay-at-home fathers under the age of 55 will be protected by the scheme.

The scheme, under which participation is voluntary, will serve as a social safety net by providing disability and invalidity protection to the groups, he added.

Participants will have to contribute RM10 a month, made in advance or prepaid, for 12 consecutive months.

The benefit and protection offered include constant-attendance allowance, invalidity pension, survivor’s pension, funeral benefit, medical benefit and permanent disability benefit.

The scheme also provides facilities for physical or vocational rehabilitation. – May 8, 2022.