Deputy human resources minister Awang Hashim, when tabling the bill for the second reading, said: “Housewives are also exposed to the risks of accident, illness, disability, domestic problems or the increasing cost of living without financial and welfare support.”

He said housewives need to be given proper protection “because they are the backbone of the family and community”, Bernama reported.

Awang said the bill only applies to housewives below the age of 55 and does not apply to those who have reached the age of 54 and who have never contributed to Socso.

Several MPs, including Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) and Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) proposed that the age of eligibility be raised to 60 years.

However the deputy minister said the age limit was set to ensure there was coordination with the i-Suri programme of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

“The ministry also takes into account that housewives who have made contributions to EPF can withdraw their savings when they reach 55,” he said when winding up the debate on the bill.

In addition, he said the government had allocated RM20 million to provide protection for the first year of contribution through the scheme to hardcore poor housewives.