BUTTERWORTH: Socso has been instructed to step up efforts to encourage more housewives to sign up for the Housewives Social Security Scheme (SKSSR), says Steven Sim Chee Keong.

The Human Resources Minister said he has told Socso to help increase public awareness about the scheme.

"We will announce a strategy soon (to increase the registration)," he said after his maiden visit as minister to Penang Socso headquarters in Seberang Jaya here on Monday (Jan 8).

Sim said they had set a target to get 500,000 housewives to register for the scheme by the end of this year.

He said currently, there are only about 200,000 out of three million housewives who have registered under SKSSR.

"The number is still low. There is a need for a more comprehensive strategy and plan to encourage this group to contribute for their benefit," he added.

Earlier, Sim spent about 30 minutes visiting booths and counters at the state Socso office.

He was accompanied by Socso chairman Datuk Seri Subhan Kamal and Socso chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.

During the visit, he also handed over assistance to nine recipients, comprising various Socso schemes and benefits, amounting to RM91,193.93.