LETTERS: The Economic, Monetary and Financial Developments in 2020 Report by Bank Negara Malaysia stated that the expenditure on social protection programmes amounted to RM17.1 billion.
However, the payout tended to be small. It was not sufficient to ensure that the most vulnerable households were able to meet minimum income and living standards.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) calls on the government to give priority to reforming social protection.
There should be a robust and inclusive framework that ensures the most vulnerable people are not left behind.
The first priority can be the establishment of a social protection floor. In other words, those who should have access to basic income security as they face risks throughout their lives.
The focus should be on the hardcore poor, the elderly and the vulnerable.
The International Labour Organisation said national social protection floors should comprise at least four guarantees:
ACCESS to essential healthcare, including maternity care;
BASIC income security for children, providing access to nutrition, education, care and any other goods and services;
BASIC income security for persons in active age who are unable to earn sufficient income, particularly in cases of sickness, unemployment, maternity and disability; and,
BASIC income security for older persons.
The organisation says the power of the social protection floor lies in its simplicity.
The floor is based on the idea that everyone should enjoy a basic income sufficient to live, guaranteed through transfers in cash or in kind.
DR PAUL SELVA RAJ
Deputy president, Fomca
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
