The revised conditions had drawn strong opposition from the Malaysian Trades Union Congress and members of the opposition over fears it would deny many contributors from getting free dialysis treatment.

In a statement today, Socso said it has withdrawn the directive on the qualifying criteria after considering the welfare of the workers and upon advice of the human resources minister.

“This move will allow all eligible Socso’s insured persons, including Invalidity Grant recipients, to receive the dialysis aid as before.”

It added that it had made the initial revision in the interest of sustainability and acknowledged that a small number of contributors would have been affected as they did not meet the qualifying criteria.

Previously MTUC secretary-general J Solomon urged Socso not to implement the new conditions as it might prevent those with end-stage kidney failure from getting free dialysis treatment.

Meanwhile, Solomon told FMT they welcomed the withdrawal of the new conditions.

“We are glad that the minister has taken our advice.”

Socso, he said, must stay true to its principles in protecting its contributors and not derail from this.

“Such injustice should not happen again.”