KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated Gig Workers Bill 2025, aimed to protect the social welfare of those in the sector, has been tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its first reading on Monday (Aug 25).
The Bill was tabled by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
"Without workers, there would be no grand palaces.
"Without workers, the state would not thrive.
"Without workers, the economy would not succeed.
"After years of waiting, 1.2 million gig workers, the driving force behind our nation’s economic growth, who have toiled tirelessly to provide comfort for our country, working hard under tough conditions to earn an honest living, deserve recognition and protection," the Minister said when tabling the Bill.
Among its key provisions is the creation of a consultative council to determine wages across different sectors, as well as the establishment of an appeal tribunal to hear disputes between gig workers and their employers.
At the Parliament lobby, Sim said the Bill came about after the mandate given by the Prime Minister in March last year for his ministry to develop a protection mechanism for gig workers.
"We are proud to announce that today, in 2025, we have successfully tabled the first reading of this new law, the first of its kind dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of gig workers.
"This Bill was not crafted in isolation, in the comfort of air-conditioned rooms in Putrajaya alone.
"It is the result of a comprehensive and inclusive engagement process," he added.
Sim said the government not only engaged in internal consultations involving multiple ministries and state administrations, but also held almost 40 stakeholder engagement sessions involving platform companies, employer groups, worker representatives, gig worker associations, trade unions, academics and others.
"In total, around 4,000 stakeholders participated in crafting this Bill," he added.
Over the span of a year, he said, the ministry also reached out and opened channels for online public feedback, and received more than 500 submissions.
The Bill revolves around four main components, including the definition of gig workers, dispute resolution mechanism, addressing payment issues, and social protection for gig workers under PERKESO.
"I urge all parties to understand that this Bill is not the product of imagination or unilateral decisions by the Human Resources Ministry. It was drafted based on the voices and feedback from all quarters.
"Of course, no law can satisfy every party completely, but this is a balanced, necessary step forward," he said, urging MPs from both sides of the divide to support the Bill for the sake of the country's gig workers.
