KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Gig Workers Bill will be tabled in Parliament in August despite a last-minute delay, says Steven Sim.
The Human Resources Minister said that the Bill, which was supposed to the tabled in Aug 14, sought to safeguard workers’ rights while avoiding undue strain on businesses and the economy.
"The Bill would mark Malaysia’s first legislation for gig workers, placing the country among only 16 or 17 nations worldwide with such laws.
“When we crafted this Bill, we engaged over 4,000 stakeholders — from employers and unions to academics and NGOs — to ensure it provides protection for workers while not imposing unnecessary burdens on the system,” Sim said at the Asean & Beyond: Young Entrepreneurs Dialogue 2025 on Saturday (Aug 16).
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that the Bill would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its first reading on Aug 14, with the second reading supposed to take place on Aug 26.
However, the Bill has yet to be tabled so far due to a last-minute delay.
Sim said that the Bill, which he stressed would be tabled sometime this month, represented a crucial step for Malaysia in striking a balance between nurturing its digital and gig economy and ensuring fair treatment for workers.
“The government has always been rational when it comes to balancing development with protection. We want to see the digital economy grow, but not at the expense of workers’ rights,” he said.
Addressing concerns from businesses about rising labour costs, Sim said that protecting workers was not only a government responsibility but also a business imperative.
“Post-Covid, one of the most valuable assets in business is human capital. If you don’t protect your workers, you will lose talent. They will move to places like Singapore, where opportunities and wages are better,” he said.
He urged business leaders to play a greater role in raising wages, improving conditions and safeguarding workers’ welfare, adding that this was vital for retaining talent both in Malaysia and across the region.
Meanwhile, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Datuk Ng Yih Pyng said the Asean & Beyond: Young Entrepreneurs Dialogue 2025 was built on three key objectives: to provide a platform for Asean youth to exchange ideas, to encourage socio-economic cooperation, and to expand regional markets to create more opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
“This platform is about forging partnerships, sparking innovation and fostering inclusive economic growth. I encourage all of you to use this opportunity to share ideas, build relationships and create impact, not only for your enterprises but for a vibrant and resilient Asean economy,” he said in his welcoming remarks.
Ng stressed that young entrepreneurs were at the forefront of shaping the region’s future by driving innovation, building resilience and opening new markets. As organiser, ACCCIM remained committed to empowering future business leaders by equipping them with networks, knowledge and platforms to build a connected, innovative and sustainable Asean.
He added that the dialogue came at a time of shifting global trade dynamics, with several Asean economies, including Malaysia, facing US-imposed tariffs averaging 19%, while others faced tariffs of between 10% and 40%.
Ng said that under the Asean Community Vision 2025, the Asean Economic Community had significant potential to boost intra-regional trade, supported by a population of nearly 660 million and a combined GDP of more than US$3.8 trillion.
“To harness these advantages, we must remain agile, diversify supply chains, maximise benefits from RCEP, promote local currency settlements and support Asean-led green initiatives,” he said.
