KUALA LUMPUR: The government and Grab have agreed to jointly fund a RM160 million package aimed at increasing the net income and improving the welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing workers starting in 2027, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the package includes an increase in minimum earnings for e-hailing and p-hailing workers, assistance with vehicle maintenance and insurance costs, as well as SOCSO contributions.
"This means that the net income for e-hailing drivers at the median level is expected to increase by up to RM227 per month, while the income of p-hailing delivery riders is set to rise by up to RM100 per month,” he said while tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Furthermore, he said the government has agreed to grant a 35 per cent SOCSO matching contribution incentive to e-hailing and p-hailing workers.
He said the incentive would be raised to 50 per cent if the platform company also covered the workers’ contributions.
"In addition to e-hailing and p-hailing workers, the government is also offering a 70 per cent SOCSO matching contribution incentive to over 200,000 self-employed individuals across 17 non-mandatory sectors,” he said.
He added that the SOCSO tax relief has been expanded to cover mandatory contributions to the Lindung Kendiri Scheme.
An additional tax relief of up to RM150 is granted for voluntary contributions to the Skim Lindung 24 Jam and Lindung Kendiri schemes.
To encourage retirement savings among e-hailing and p-hailing drivers, Anwar said the government is offering an EPF matching contribution incentive of up to RM600 per year or RM6,000 over a lifetime.
He also said BSN and Agrobank are providing RM270 million to finance gig workers who want to start a business and buy their first home.
Anwar said the Gig Consultative Council is currently discussing minimum income rates, income formulas, and minimum social protection standards for gig workers, which are set to be finalised in early 2027. - Bernama
