GEORGE TOWN: A total of 405 housewives who registered for the Housewives' Social Security Scheme (SKSSR) received benefits to the tune of RM1.09 million between December 2022 and December 2023.
They were among the 201,383 housewives registered for the scheme between December 2022 and Dec 18, last year.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the highest paid out was for funeral management, totalling RM632,214.55 for 319 cases.
He said this was followed by the "Penakat" pension benefit totalling RM393,142.41 for 228 cases.
"We view the care economy as an integral part of our economy. The care economy is real and actual and should be accorded the same protection and rights as those from the other industries.
"As such, we hope more housewives will register for this scheme to ensure they are well protected.
"It is our hope to register 500,000 housewives this year," he said at the Kesuma Madani programme at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Devastanam Temple in Jalan Air Terjun here today.
The Kesuma Madani programme will be held during the three-day Thaipusam celebration in Penang from Jan 24 to 26.
A similar programme was earlier announced for Batu Caves.
Sim said the Kesuma Madani programme was the ministry's outreach programme to "bring the ministry to the people".
He said various initiatives under the ministry would be introduced, especially to the Indian community, during the religious festival through a specially set up booth.
He also urged housewives attending the Thaipusam celebration to register for the SKSSR.
"For the youth, particularly the Indian youth, they can find out more about the various technical courses offered by the agencies under the ministry.
"This is the first time we are reaching out to the people this Thaipusam festival. The Kesuma Madani programme will be expanded during others activities in future," he added.
Earlier this month, Sim had said only 200,000 of the estimated three million housewives in the country had contributed to the SKSSR, saying that the number was still low and needed a more comprehensive strategy and planning to encourage more housewives to contribute for their own benefit.
Sim said he would announce the steps and strategy soon.