A hawker injured in a road accident has expressed gratitude after receiving RM13,354.29 in temporary disability benefits under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS), provided by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso).
S. Vijayaletchime, 40, who runs a mixed-rice stall at a kopitiam, shared that she and her husband, S. Thiago, 50, were involved in a road accident last August while on their way home from a supermarket.
“At the time, I was riding pillion on my husband’s motorcycle when we collided with another motorcycle near our home in Taman Machang Bubok,” she recounted. “I sustained injuries to my knee and hip, which left me bedridden for nearly three months. As a result, I had to shut down my stall during that time and had no source of income,” she told reporters at her residence yesterday.
She spoke to reporters after receiving a mock cheque during a visit by Human Resources Minister YB Tuan Steven Sim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam, along with Perkeso Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
Vijayaletchime shared that during the three-month recovery period, her family received support from her son-in-law and her husband’s brother. The benefits she received helped ease their financial burden by covering household expenses and settling debts.
The mother of two—aged 23 and 17—also expressed her gratitude to YB Tuan Steven Sim, noting that it was he who had sponsored her SKSPS contribution.
“Immediately after the accident, I reached out to Perkeso, and the process of claiming the benefits was smooth and straightforward. I strongly encourage all traders to contribute to the scheme, as it provides crucial support in times of need,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sim mentioned that the SKSPS contributions for over 3,000 hawkers in the Bukit Mertajam parliamentary constituency have been fully sponsored. He also noted that this year, around 10 hawkers in the Bukit Mertajam parliamentary constituency have received various forms of assistance through the SKSPS, with the total benefits amounting to RM30,507.64.
He added that over the course of last year, a total of 800,000 individuals registered under the SKSPS, with 3,557 claims amounting to RM12.5 million recorded as of May 31. Sim encouraged more self-employed individuals, part-time workers, and hawkers to register for the scheme, describing it as a vital safety net in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Source: Bernama
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