SOCSO was mandated to administer and enforce the Employee Social Security Act 1969 and Employee Social Security General Rules 1971. Through the Act and Regulations, SOCSO is able to provide free medical treatment, facility for physical or vocational rehabilitation, and financial assistance to employees if they have loss their abilities due to accidents or diseases that have reduced their abilities to work or rendered them incapacitated. If an employee has died, their dependants are provided for financially through pensions.
SOCSO in fulfilling its responsibilities is guided by three core principles as follows