Budget 2026: Matching Incentive For Gig, e-hailing, p-hailing Workers Under i-Saraan Plus

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Gig, e-hailing and p-hailing workers will receive matching contribution incentives of up to RM600 per year, or RM6,000 for life, under the i-Saraan Plus scheme, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said that the incentives, under Budget 2026, are being introduced to strengthen social protection and encourage contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), as many self-employed individuals are unable to make regular contributions for their own financial security.

He added that the existing i-Saraan scheme will also continue for other informal and self-employed individuals, with matching contributions of up to RM500 per year, or RM5,000 for life.

“The Gig Workers Act 2025 has made Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) contributions mandatory for gig workers,” he said, when tabling Budget 2026 at the Dewan Rakyat, today.

Anwar said that the government has agreed to bear 70 per cent of the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme contributions for gig workers in the non-mandated sector who register for the first time, while the incentive will be 50 per cent in the second year.

“Job seekers or new graduates who accept job offers and need to relocate will receive incentives of up to RM1,000 from the PERKESO,” he said.

He added that PERKESO has also increased the maximum rate for haemodialysis treatment to RM170, compared to RM150 previously, involving an additional allocation of RM52 million per year.

“PERKESO will also complete the construction of rehabilitation centres in Melaka, Perak, Terengganu and, most recently, in Penang, which will have a capacity of 250 beds,” he said.

For mothers, the eligibility age for the i-Suri scheme has been raised to 60 years, in line with the minimum retirement age.

-- BERNAMA