The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) was formed as a government department on 1 January 1971 to enforce the Employees’ Social Security Act, 1969. It became a Statutory Authority effective 1 July 1985.

SOCSO has been separated from the government’s New Remuneration System since 1 January 1992. Consequently, SOCSO’s new remuneration system was introduced.

SOCSO administers two social security schemes: the employment injury insurance scheme and the invalidity pension scheme. These schemes provide protection for workers against the contingencies of employment injury including commuting accidents, and occupational diseases as well as invalidity and death. The objective of the social security schemes is to guarantee timely and adequate benefit payments workers and their dependants in the event of a mishap. SOCSO arranges for medical care, physical and vocational rehabilitation, besides promoting accident prevention measures and instilling greater awareness with regard to occupational safety and health at the work place. Rehabilitation services are provided with the view to enable injured workers to return to active employment.

The objective of SOCSO is to ensure and guarantee the timely and adequate provision of benefits in a socially-just manner to insured workers and their dependants and to promote occupational health and safety.