KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry will have further engagements with stakeholders before the Gig Workers Bill is tabled in Parliament, says its Minister Steven Sim (pic).
These will be part of the efforts to ensure the Bill is “balanced and robust”, he said.
“Globally, this Bill is relatively new. We want to make sure that the dynamics are robust enough to defend and protect the rights of gig workers.
“But at the same time, we must balance it with the development of the gig industry in Malaysia,” Sim told reporters after the 18th national congress of the DAP here yesterday.
He emphasised the need for a careful and informed approach to the matter that demonstrates consideration for gig workers and platform providers.
“We are taking a more cautious approach to expand engagement before we table it,” said Sim, adding that he was scheduled to meet some of the stakeholders later yesterday.
Reservations about the proposed legislation have been raised by representatives of the gig economy, with many claiming that it may not achieve its intended objectives without further refinement.
They have called for the Bill to outline “clear and implementable provisions”.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed Sim to examine the stakeholders’ concerns regarding the Bill.
In response, gig workers have dismissed the platform providers' concerns as an attempt to delay the tabling of the Bill.
The proposed law aims to introduce an official definition for gig workers, provide them with comprehensive social and financial protections, regulate terms and conditions of service agreements and establish mechanisms for dispute resolution.
“In general, the gig workers are welcoming of this Bill. The reception has been, by and large, very positive,” Sim said.
He added that engagement efforts were already underway, both in-person and online, but acknowledged that the novelty of the Bill might be creating additional concerns.
“There are worries because this is a new law. There has never been a law regulating the gig industry vis-a-vis the labour force or the workers.
“These are legitimate concerns and we are going to address them.
“The commitment is to table the Bill within this year, hopefully in the next meeting,” he added.
