11/01/2026

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday JAN 11, 2026

Call to recognise domestic caregivers as workers

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA Every morning, Cikgu Noraini rises earlier than usual to care for her mother, who suffered a stroke, ensuring she is safe and comfortable. This daily routine is carried out without remuneration, leave or any assurance of future security, sustained solely by a daughter’s devotion. At 35, Noraini was a lecturer at a higher learning institution before her life took an unexpected turn when her mother required full-time care. She made the difficult decision to leave her academic career and return to her hometown in Malacca. This was the scenario described to theSun by Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, reflecting the reality faced by many Malaysians who are forced to reduce their working hours or withdraw from the workforce altogether. “Cikgu Noraini is an example. Although she is a fictional character, she is actually the voice of thousands of caregivers who sacrifice without expectation of reward and who continue to wait for protection. It is time that this sacrifice is acknowledged as a significant contribution to the nation. “Responsibilities of this nature carry long-term consequences. Like many other domestic caregivers, Cikgu Noraini now lives without a stable income as her career has come to a halt and her savings are no longer growing, rendering her financial future increasingly uncertain. “She now lives apart from her husband and children in Kuala Lumpur, while her days are wholly devoted to caring for her mother – assisting with mobility, managing medication, monitoring emotional wellbeing and remaining constantly attentive to her LUMPUR:

Without proper categorisation, such individuals would be excluded from protection of social safety net, says minister needs,” Ramanan added. He said in recognising this reality, it has become imperative to formally acknowledge domestic caregivers as “workers” so that they may be included within the scope of social security protection. “Without such recognition, caregivers will continue to be excluded from the social safety net, placing their futures at risk after years of service caring for the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses and persons with disabilities. “From a personal standpoint, I regard home-based caregiving as a vital pillar within the nation’s economic and social ecosystem. Yet, their contributions remain largely invisible, despite caregivers facing emotional strain, health risks and persistent financial uncertainty.” Ramanan said years devoted to caregiving may ultimately translate into insecurity in old age, as the daily reality of care work remains largely unrecognised as employment within formal systems. He said through the Social Security Organisation (Socso),

Ramanan said social protection should be structured around life risks rather than employment status, in line with existing initiatives offered by Socso. – PIC COURTESY OF HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTRY

building a resilient care system, a responsibility we must collectively uphold. “I also commend the role played by the media, including theSun , whose report on Dec 30 titled ‘Call to formally recognise, support home caregivers’ has shed light on the challenges faced by domestic caregivers, including calls for formal recognition and support commensurate with their responsibilities and risks,” he added. For further details, Ramanan encouraged the public to visit www.Socso.gov.my/en/our services/protection/housewife or www.Socso.gov.my/en/our services/protection/self employed or Socso’s social media platform accounts.

employment protection or institutional support. In this context, domestic caregivers fall within both categories. “Malaysian citizens and permanent residents without an age limit, as well as self-employed individuals who work for themselves to earn a living, are eligible for Lindung Kendiri. Ramanan said a more flexible approach must be explored to ensure domestic caregivers are not excluded from lifelong protection, in line with measures extended to gig workers and homemakers. He said recognising domestic caregivers is the first step. “Supporting them is the next. Ensuring lifelong protection for caregivers is fundamental to

social protection should be structured around life risks rather than employment status, in line with existing initiatives such as “ Lindung Kasih” and “Lindung Kendiri” offered by the agency. “Lindung Kasih underscores the need to protect women and homemakers who shoulder caregiving responsibilities, roles seldom recognised as work, despite the tangible risks involved. “Housewives who have not reached the age of 55 and not yet reached the age of 54 on the first contribution date to Lindung Kasih are covered. “Meanwhile, Lindung Kendiri recognises individuals who bear risks independently, without the benefit of stable

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