Almost 98% of p-hailing workers are youth, says Stats Dept

KUALA LUMPUR: A study by the Statistics Department involving a total of 6,657 p-hailing workers found that 97.71% of them were youths aged 15 to 30, while the remaining 2.29% was senior citizens aged 60 and above.

In a statement on Friday (Feb 17), the Statistics Department said a study conducted from March 1 to Dec 31, 2022 found that most p-hailing workers had an education level of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) / Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokasional (SPMV) or equivalent (39.54%), Diploma or equivalent (23.24%) and Bachelor's Degree (11.79%).

"The findings also show that 0.21% of p-hailing workers do not attend school and 0.99% do not have any academic qualifications," it said.

According to the statement, 73.98% of p-hailing workers treated the occupation as their main source of income, while 70.35% make it their main occupation.

On social protection, the study found that 72.25% of respondents contributed to the Social Security Organisation (Socso), and only 22.05% contributed to Employees' Provident Fund (EPF).

The Statistics Department also said there was an increase in the income of p-hailing workers after participating in food and goods delivery, with the highest number of them earning between RM1,501 to RM2,499 (26.78%), followed by RM1,500 and below (23.39%) and RM2,500 to RM3,170 (11.67%).

"There are 36.61% of p-hailing workers who have their own savings or investments while 63.39% do not have any savings.

"In terms of insurance policy, it was found that 45.07% of p-hailing workers have their own insurance policy while 54.93% do not have any," according to the statement.

According to Statistics Department, the working hours of p-hailing workers in a week show that the three highest categories are those who work between 49 hours to 84 hours (30.79%), 30 hours to 48 hours (25.84%) and less than 30 hours (25.42%).

The study found that the top five reasons p-hailing workers join the service were to cover daily expenses, help the family, have flexible working hours, to save and not to be bound by rules or employment contracts.

The Statistics Department said that there were five strategic focuses covering 19 initiatives and 19 action plans proposed as a result of the study, including ensuring that the welfare of p-hailing workers was protected under labour legislation or the equivalent and providing appropriate complaint and communication channels to resolve disputes between service providers and workers. – Bernama