SOCSO (PERKESO) For Your Maid/Domestic Helper In Malaysia — What Employers Need To Know
If you currently employ a maid (domestic helper) in Malaysia, you’ve probably heard bits and pieces about the SOCSO (PERKESO) insurance requirement.
But with so much (yet sometimes so little) information floating around, it can get confusing — What exactly do you need to do? How much do you have to contribute? And exactly what does the insurance cover? Don’t worry, Pelita Baru has you covered! In this post, we’ll break everything down in easy-to-understand terms, so you can understand your legal responsibilities as an employer and ensure your maid is protected.
🚨Note: Only Malaysian employers are required to contribute to SOCSO. So if you’re an expatriate, this post does not apply to you (unless you’re interested in some light reading 😉)
The short version — if you’re in a rush
- Since 1 June 2021 and 1 July 2024, Malaysian employers of foreign domestic helpers are legally required to make monthly SOCSO contributions (Employment Injury Scheme since 1 June 2021, Invalidity Scheme since 1 July 2024)
- SOCSO protection provides certain benefits to your domestic helper. Some common examples are medical treatment for work-related injuries, invalidity pension if she becomes permanently disabled, and funeral repatriation costs
- Registration for a SOCSO account on the ASSIST Portal or in-person is required to facilitate these monthly contributions
- The registration process requires you to fill in a number of forms and upload a series of documents
- Pelita Baru provides end-to-end SOCSO registration services, even if you have not hired a maid through us. Contact us today to find out more!
What Is SOCSO, And Why Do Maids (Domestic Helpers) Need It?
SOCSO, also known as PERKESO, is Malaysia’s social security system that protects workers if they suffer injuries, disabilities, or death due to work-related accidents. It operates under Act 4 of the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969.
When it comes to foreign maids (domestic helpers) working in Malaysia, there are two types
of SOCSO protection:
- Employment Injury Scheme (EIS): Effective since 1 June 2021, the EIS covers workrelated accidents, such as injuries during cooking, cleaning, or running errands. Currently, this is fully paid by the employer, at 1.25% of the maid’s salary on a monthly basis.
- Invalidity Scheme (IS): Effective since 1 July 2024, the IS covers invalidity (permanent disability) or death, even if they are not work-related. Currently, this is paid by both the employer at 0.5% of the maid’s salary on a monthly basis and the employee (i.e. the maid) at 0.5% of the maid’s salary on a monthly basis as well — coming up to 1.0% in total.
In short, since 1 July 2024, both schemes are mandatory for all foreign maids working in Malaysia.
How Much Do You Need To Pay For SOCSO?
Now, onto the question of money! How much do you, as an employer, have to contribute every month?
SOCSO contributions are based on a percentage of your maid’s monthly salary, as follows:
| Contribution Type | Employer Pays | Maid Pays | Total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) | 1.25% | None | 1.25% |
| Invalidity Scheme (IS) | 0.5% | 0.5% | 1.0% |
| Total contribution under SOCSO 1 | 1.75% | 0.5% | 2.25% |
Let’s make this come alive with an example using monthly figures, as follows:
| Contribution Type | Employer Pays | Maid Pays | Total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM 1,500 (Indonesian salary) | RM 26.25 | RM 7.50 | RM 33.75 |
| RM 1,800 (Filipino salary) | RM 31.50 | RM 9.00 | RM 40.50 |
💡 Tip: These contributions can be made either on a monthly basis (via the ASSIST Portal) or can be pre-paid in one lump sum 12 months ahead (via the PRIHATIN app).
What Does SOCSO Cover?(And What It Doesn’t!)
It’s great to know that your maid is covered under SOCSO, but what does that actually meanfor you and your maid? Let’s break it down with some common examples:
Employment Injury Scheme (EIS):
If your maid gets injured while working, SOCSO will help cover:
✅Medical treatment for work-related injuries
✅ Temporary disability benefits if she needs time off to recover
✅ Work-related death benefits for her family
✅ Funeral repatriation costs
✅ Accidents during work-related commuting, e.g. if she is injured running errands for you
Invalidity Scheme (IS):
Even if the injury or illness is not work-related, SOCSO will help cover:
✅ Invalidity pension if she becomes permanently unable to work
✅ Survivor benefits for her family in the unfortunate event of death (even if it is from natural causes)
SOCSO does not cover:
❌ Regular medical expenses, e.g. GP visits for the flu
❌ Injuries that happen during personal activities, e.g. on her day-off
❌ Hospitalisation for non-work-related injuries or illnesses
💡Tip: For a complete guide regarding coverage, visit https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/ourservices/protection/foreign-worker.html
How Do You Register Your Maid For SOCSO?
The good news is there are a couple of ways through which you can register your maid for SOCSO.
Where can you register?
🖥️ Online: Via the ASSIST Portal at assist.perkeso.com.my
🏢 In person: At any SOCSO office (in Penang, this would be the one located at 269, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus 10350 Georgetown)
Documents required for registration:
🗎 Copy of employer’s MyKad
🗎 Copy of maid’s passport
🗎 Copy of maid’s work permit
🗎 Scanned copies of forms that have been filled in (more on this below)
What are the steps involved?
1. Complete portal ID registration
If you are a first-time user, you have to register for an account on the ASSIST Portal. You can do this at https://assist.perkeso.gov.my/web/guest/portal-registration or if you wish to register in person, you can fill in the Borang Pendaftaran ID Portal Perkeso which you can download here.
💡 Tip: If you register for your account on the ASSIST Portal, you do not have to upload a scanned copy of the Borang Pendaftaran ID Portal Perkeso.
After you have completed your registration, you will receive an email from PERKESO with your first-time temporary login details. This may take up to 2 working days.
2. Register employer information
After you have received your temporary login details and changed it to your desired login details, you can now start the process of registration under the ‘Registration’ tab. Fill in the ‘Employer’s Registration Form’ with your information.
💡Tip: If you are required to fill in the ‘Business Entity’, just type ‘Employer for Domestic Worker (Housemaid)’.
3. Register maid (domestic helper) information
After registering your own details, it is time to register your maid’s information. You will be directed to the ‘Employee’s Registration Form’. Be sure to click on ‘Add Foreign Employee’.
💡 Tip: If your maid has already been registered under SOCSO (such as under a previous employer), you may search for her information under the ‘Search Existing Foreign Employee’ section.
4. Upload necessary supporting documents
After you have completed both the employer and employee registrations in the ASSIST Portal, you will be directed to upload a list of supporting documents as the final step. The documents required are as follows:
To be downloaded, filled in, and scanned for upload:
🗎 Borang 1 — Pendaftaran Majikan. Download here.
🗎 Borang Pendaftaran Pekerja Domestik. Download here.
🗎 Borang Pengisytiharan Orang Tanggungan Pekerja Asing. Download here.
🗎 Borang SIP 1 — Pendaftaran Majikan. Download here.
To be scanned for upload:
🗎 Copy of employer’s MyKad.
🗎 Copy of maid’s passport.
🗎 Copy of maid’s work permit.
💡Tip: If you encounter a request to fill in ‘Nama Perusahaan’, simply put in your legal name. For your maid’s information, you do not have to fill in the ‘No. Kad Pendaftaran Pengenalan Diri’, the ‘No. Passport’ is enough.
Congratulations! After you have uploaded all the documents as listed above, you will have successfully registered your maid under SOCSO and can proceed to make the required contributions every month.
How Do You Make SOCSO Contributions Every Month?
✅ Online: Log into the SOCSO Assist Portal and pay via ETF, FPX, or direct debit.
✅ PRIHATIN app: Make a 12-month advanced contribution (only available on the PRIHATIN app).
✅ In person: Pay at selected banks using cheques.
📅 Reminder: Payments must be made by the 15th of each succeeding month. For example, the SOCSO contribution for May 2025 should be paid no later than 15th June 2025
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters
Remember, ensuring your maid is covered under SOCSO isn’t just about following the law—
it’s about preparing financially in case of accidents or emergencies.
By registering your maid and making timely SOCSO contributions, you:
❤️ Recompense her against work-related injuries or disabilities
❤️ Provide her with pension benefits in case of invalidity
❤️ Stay compliant with Malaysian laws and avoid penalties
Taking these steps shows you care about your maid’s well-being while keeping everything legal and hassle-free. So if you haven’t registered your maid yet, now’s the time to do it! ☺️
Let Pelita Baru Help You With Your SOCSO Registration
If you need help registering for SOCSO, Pelita Baru is here to help you manage the entire process. We provide end-to-end SOCSO registration services to all employers, even if you haven’t hired a maid through us. Our services include:
- Initial registration of SOCSO account for first-time employers
- Completion and upload of all necessary forms
- Guidance on SOCSO contributions, such as whether you should contribute monthly or in advance, payment methods, payment deadlines and so on to ensure you remain legally compliant
Get in touch with us today to enquire about our SOCSO registration services!