SOCSO benefits will be provided for life to the widow of a victim of a fallen tree

The next of kin of a man who died in a falling tree incident in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur last May 7, have been identified as eligible to receive benefits from the Social Security Organization (SSO).

Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said a review by the SOCSO Prihatin Squad confirmed that Md Rizal Atan, 47, who died during the incident, was a contributor under the Workers’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4) since January 1, 1995.

Chee Keong said that the widow of the deceased, Norpahidah Mat Zaman, will receive Dependent’s Benefits (FOT) amounting to RM3,400 throughout her life.

While his four children, each between the ages of 3 and 18, are given FOT benefits until the age of 21 if they are unmarried and can be extended if they continue their studies to the first degree level.

“As a contributor, the heirs of his family are eligible to receive a Corpse Management Benefit (FPM) amounting to RM2,000 as a one-off payment by SOCSO through the Occupational Disaster Scheme under Act 4,” he said in a statement here today.

Chee Keong said that employers’ awareness of fulfilling their responsibility to contribute to their employees has eased the family’s burden to go through the black episode through the protection of the social safety net provided by Sokeso through financial support.

In an incident last Tuesday, Md Rizal, who had been working as a driver since 2018, died while on his way to a hotel to pick up guests from his employer’s company as a result of being involved in a falling tree incident.