It will be mandatory for petty traders and hawkers to contribute to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) from Jan 1 next year. Socso said the contributions would be made under the social security scheme for the self-employed (SKSPS), and that this was aimed at ensuring they could get financial support if they suffered employment injuries.

The statutory body said this would also apply to those who operated kiosks as part of their own business. This is the third sector where mandatory contributions are to be made under the SKSPS, after the transport services and the food and package delivery sectors in 2017 and 2022, respectively. 

Socso said it would work with local governments nationwide in the three months prior to the deadline to raise awareness about the mandatory contributions by traders and hawkers.