He said the amendment, which aims to expand the coverage by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to include Malaysians working overseas, would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat after obtaining approval from the Cabinet.

“The bill will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat after receiving Cabinet approval, and the Act will be enforced this year once it is passed, as the safety and health of workers cannot be left unattended,” Ramanan said.

He said the move was important to ensure that the safety and welfare of Malaysian workers abroad, especially those working in neighbouring countries, continued to be safeguarded.

According to Ramanan, about 480,000 Malaysians commute daily to Singapore for work, while 54 fatal accidents were recorded last year, stressing that this group also deserved the same level of protection as other workers in Malaysia.

He added that the scheme had been carefully designed to prevent abuse, with Perkeso also having a clear basis for its implementation.