KUALA LUMPUR - The ASEAN Social Security Symposium on Advancing Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers was held in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

The event, organised by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), brought together officials, experts, and stakeholders from across ASEAN, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation on allowing migrant workers to retain their social security benefits when moving between countries.

The Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur (KBRI) said the symposium marked an important moment to discuss steps to strengthen the portability of social security for migrant workers in the ASEAN region.

“Portability is intended to ensure that social security protection continues to apply to workers, even when they move across borders.

“The active participation of ASEAN member states, international organisations, and other stakeholders reaffirms a shared commitment to delivering more inclusive social protection for migrant workers, in line with the spirit of One Vision, One Identity, One Community," KBRI said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia also took part in the symposium, highlighting the need for regional cooperation on social security portability and the importance of ensuring all workers have access to adequate protection.

“We are proud to work with PERKESO to ensure that all workers – regardless of where they are – have access to adequate social protection to improve their well-being.

“Ensuring that migrant workers can carry their social security benefits with them is not only an economic necessity but also a matter of inclusion, fairness, and dignity,” UNDP said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

The event signals growing momentum in ASEAN towards ensuring fairer and more secure conditions for millions of migrant workers in the region.

Present at the event were Deputy Chief of Mission Danang Waskito and Labour Attaché Harry Ayusman from KBRI. 

PERKESO, also known as the Social Security Organisation of Malaysia, is the government agency responsible for implementing social protection policies, including employment injury and invalidity schemes for workers.