PETALING JAYA: Industry groups and women say initiatives like the Progressive Acceleration for Capability and Employment (PACE) and the new post-maternity allowance announced by the Prime Minister reflect a progressive shift.
Chief activist at Gabungan eHailing Malaysia (GEM) Masrizal Mahidin said PACE provides a strong foundation from a structural reform perspective but its real impact will depend on execution design and implementation clarity.
He said the three critical areas that require further strengthening include making protection for gig workers more systematic, especially when they move across platforms.
“PACE is a constructive and progressive step toward a more inclusive labour framework.
“However, its next phase must move beyond a government programme and evolve into a shared national ecosystem of protection, empowerment and structural reform,” he said.
Masrizal lauded the strategic pillars of PACE, which he said signals an important evolution in national labour policy.
He said the strengthening of social protection through the PERKESO Employment Insurance System (EIS) framework reinforces a fundamental principle that no worker should be left without a safety net and that the emphasis on training and job placement through HRD Corp and MyFutureJobs will truly benefit gig workers.
Masrizal also said the dedicated allocation for gig workers under the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK) is a significant acknowledgement that gig workers are an essential workforce segment that requires structured protection and development.
Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (MeHDA) president Daryl Chong said the group is particularly encouraged by the RM20mil allocation to PTPK for e-hailing and p-hailing workers’ skills training and strengthened social security protection.
“This is a meaningful recognition that gig workers, including our members, are a vital segment of Malaysia’s workforce deserving of structured upskilling and welfare coverage.”
Chong urged the government to ensure the EIS benefits are extended in a manner that is straightforward for gig workers to access given the non-traditional nature “of our employment status”.
President of the National Skilled Workers Organisation (Belia Mahir) Mohammad Rizan Hassan said the body fully supported the initiatives.
He said he welcomed the proposal to extend PERKESO protection to Malaysian citizens abroad, as well as the introduction of the post-maternity allowance.
Selangor Women Inspiration Association president Norliza Ismail said Anwar’s announcement was a positive shift in safeguarding the welfare of women in the workforce.
“It provides much-needed flexibility,” she added.
Meanwhile, Laily Othman, 56, said the initiative would greatly assist women in planning their maternity leave.
“When we are given longer leave with allowance support, we can maintain our mental well-being and spend quality time with our families. This is a commendable effort to uplift women,” she said when interviewed by Bernama.
A nurse at the Sepang District Health Office, Nur Farah Diyana Hairo Azaman, 33, who has three children, said the allowance would benefit mothers.
Consumers Association of Penang vice-president Meenakshi Raman said the post-maternity initiatives would be of great help.
