PETALING JAYA: Stakeholders are urging the government to table the Gig Workers’ Bill without further delay, as continuous engagement can refine the legislation.
Union Network International-Malaysia Labour Centre (UNI-MLC) president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal stressed the need for ongoing dialogue, particularly with gig workers.
This sentiment was echoed at a town hall session between the Human Resources Ministry and stakeholders on Feb 19.
Gig workers believe the Bill is crucial for addressing financial security, such as contributions to the Social Security Organisation, and resolving platform disputes.
“There is an urgent need to table the Bill, because the details can be further improved down the line,” an e-hailing rider who wanted to be known as Ahmad said.
The Gig Workers’ Bill, which was initially scheduled for tabling last year, is now expected to be tabled in Parliament this month.
The Bill aims to introduce an official definition for gig workers, protect gig workers, impose obligations on contractual entities, regulate terms and conditions of service agreements and establish mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Mohamad Shafie said that gig workers’ rights should not be denied.
“The proposed Bill is a key platform to ensure their welfare,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohamed Shafie also disagrees with gig economy companies’ calls for further refinement.
“The government has provided ample opportunity for these companies, including open dialogue sessions and several clarifications on the Bill during a town hall session between the Human Resources Ministry and the stakeholders.
“UNI-MLC hopes that the companies pressing for the Bill’s postponement will think carefully and not prioritise profits alone. Instead, company profits should align with the welfare of gig workers.
“We hope that the Human Resources Minister will not succumb to these pressures but rather continue the noble intention of the government to present the Gig Workers’ Bill for the future of thousands of gig workers.”
Echoing Mohamed Shafie’s sentiments was Gabungan E-hailing Malaysia (GEM) chief activist Jose Rizal, who also criticised gig economy platforms for attempting to delay the Bill, stating it would leave gig workers vulnerable.
“We see this as an outdated tactic by companies seeking to maintain the status quo – a system that oppresses gig workers by ignoring basic protections such as social insurance, employment benefits and the rights that workers should have.
“The rights of gig workers must be protected now, not tomorrow or next year. It is enough that gig workers are already exploited by a system that only benefits companies,” he said in a statement.
On Feb 27, Bolt, FastGig, FoodPanda, GoGet, Grab, Halo Delivery, Kiddocare, Lalamove and ShopeeFood in a joint statement raised concern over the current draft of the Gig Workers’ Bill, claiming that it may not achieve its intended objectives and risks disrupting gig work, preventing workers from earning a livelihood.
The group raised concerns regarding the Consultative Council’s impact on operations, as well as Social Protection Contributions in the Bill.
“As industry players in the gig economy, we are concerned that the current draft of the Gig Workers’ Bill may not fully achieve its intended objectives for gig workers and the broader industry.
“Before the Bill is presented to Parliament, it is crucial to ensure its provisions are clear, practical and implementable.”
The group also proposed the government carry out a feasibility and impact study and the need for regulatory sandboxing of provisions that allow stakeholders to gather feedback and evaluate regulations, among others.
Transportation think tank MY Mobility Vision highlighted regulatory overlaps, noting that while the Human Resources Ministry is spearheading the Bill, e-hailing drivers fall under the Transport Ministry.
This showed a lack of coordination, which risks overlapping and conflicting rules, a challenge that has troubled other international markets, it said.
MY Mobility Vision said the Bill does not sufficiently differentiate ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders from freelancers, despite their distinct working conditions.
“Ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders operate on structured schedules with predictable, albeit modest, incomes, while freelancers face irregular cash flow and more precarious social security coverage,” it said in a statement.
