PERKESO Expands Op Kesan 2.0, Focuses on Hawkers and Gig Sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has expanded the focus of Op Kesan 2.0 to the informal sector, including hawkers registered with local authorities and the e-hailing and p-hailing sectors, to strengthen social security protection for these groups.

Its Deputy Chief Executive (Operations), Azirruan Arifin, said compliance with registration and contribution requirements is crucial to ensure workers receive adequate protection while helping their families continue with their lives in the event of an employment-related accident.

“This operation is being carried out to strengthen compliance with social security protection laws, including in the informal sector, which covers platform providers for gig workers, hawkers and small traders who are required to contribute to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (LINDUNG Kendiri) under Act 789,” he said.

According to him, Op Kesan 2.0 is being conducted nationwide through 54 PERKESO offices, involving more than 300 enforcement personnel.

As of 5.30pm, a total of 1,923 inspection visits had been carried out, with 206 compound notices amounting to RM216,500 issued for various offences.

For the gig sector, Azirruan said platform providers are also responsible for ensuring that e-hailing and p-hailing workers are registered and that their contributions are properly paid.

“Starting Oct 1, any platform that fails to register workers and ensure that contributions for p-hailing and e-hailing workers are properly made will face compound fines and enforcement action,” he said.

He said the measure is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), with 1.17 million gig workers currently registered with PERKESO.

At the same time, enforcement against employers in the formal sector will continue to ensure that eligible workers are not left without social security protection.

Commenting on compliance challenges, Azirruan said some employers still claim they are unaware of their registration and contribution obligations, despite enforcement operations being carried out every year.

Inspections have also uncovered cases where workers themselves asked employers not to register them, highlighting the need to raise awareness of the importance of such protection.

“As we work to earn a living, we must not forget that accidents can happen without warning,” he said, reminding workers to understand their rights to social security protection.

He therefore urged workers who have not been registered or whose employers have failed to make contributions on their behalf to lodge complaints at their nearest PERKESO office or via email.

He said such complaints would enable PERKESO to inspect the premises concerned and take follow-up action to ensure employers fulfil their obligations.

He also assured that the identities and information of complainants would be kept confidential to protect them from possible retaliation by employers.

Foreign workers may also use the same complaint channels or contact the PERKESO call centre if they find that their employers have failed to register them or make the required contributions.

Meanwhile, PERKESO said efforts to improve compliance are also being carried out through education and opportunities for voluntary registration under the amnesty period known as Bulan Pemutihan before enforcement action is taken.

The initiative recorded the registration of 6,586 employers and 281,930 new workers, comprising 247,025 local workers and 34,905 foreign workers.

“Based on the implementation of Ops Kesan from 2020 to September 2026, a total of 25,011 compound notices amounting to RM15 million were issued to employers who failed to register their businesses and workers, while 21,177 cases were prosecuted for various offences,” he said.

Since July this year, 9,809 inspection visits have been conducted, resulting in 2,457 compound notices amounting to RM1.56 million for various offences under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4), Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800) and Self-Employment Social Security Act 2017 (Act 789).

Astro AWANI