Looking into gig workers’ needs high on ministry’s list

PUTRAJAYA: A specific legislation for gig economy workers and assisting the government in achieving a new target for highly skilled workers will be among the things in the Human Resources Ministry’s to-do list.

Its minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the ministry is concerned over the needs and welfare of some four million Malaysians working in the gig economy.

The figure is a big jump compared with pre-Covid-19 pandemic days, which then registered some 500,000 workers.

With the rising number, the ministry, through the Social Security Organisation (Socso), introduced a special social security scheme to provide protection for those who are self-employed.

“We are concerned about the needs of gig workers.

“We will be looking into whether there is a need to draw legislation specifically to oversee and protect workers in the gig economy,” he said in his Workers’ Day message yesterday.

Saravanan said the employment market today is no longer restricted to the employers’ market, adding that “now it is about the employees’ market”.

“Employees now have a choice to gain employment in other sectors, and the gig economy offers higher income based on their skills,” he pointed out.

Saravanan said to help increase the percentage of skilled workers to 35% by 2030, his ministry will play its part to ensure the successful implementation of the national technical and vocational training and education (TVET) programme.

On the RM1,500 monthly minimum wage which took effect yesterday, the minister said the decision to increase the amount was aimed at encouraging larger participation in the local employment market, and the minimum wage could help attract more people to seek employment.

“The decision to increase the minimum wage is done after a comprehensive study and review with the involvement of stakeholders and parties,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced in March the implementation of the new minimum wage for the country this year.

Saravanan said his ministry had also worked with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to launch a National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025.

“This action plan is our commitment to ensure the issue of forced labour is being tackled collectively and effectively to protect Malaysia’s image and reputation,” he said.

In March, Malaysia ratified Protocol 29 of the ILO, which is otherwise known as Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930.

Issues of forced labour and treatment of workers, especially foreign workers, have put the country in a spot, particularly in the annual Trafficking in Persons report.

Saravanan said the ministry is committed to ensuring the well-being and welfare of workers, whom he described as the “pulse and pillar of nation-building”.

“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all workers in Malaysia for their sacrifices, commitment and contribution to help in the economic recovery.

“As Human Resources Minister, I give my commitment to ensure your rights as workers will always be protected.”