Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will host the World Social Security Forum from Sept 29 to Oct 3, with over 1,500 delegates from 300 organisations in attendance
THE world is entering a period of transition marked by uncertainty. The digital revolution, green economy and ageing population are reshaping the world of work.
Traditional employment is now intersecting with the gig economy, automation, and more flexible models.
Amid this complexity, one crucial question emerges: What is the future of social security when the very nature of work is changing?
Malaysia takes bold steps
Malaysia chooses not to wait. While many countries are still struggling to find new formulas, we have emerged as among the earliest in the world to enact specific legislation to protect gig workers.
Gig workers are not just statistics. They are young people who have made digital platforms their source of livelihood, single parents who work day and night to raise their children, and fresh graduates who view the gig economy as their entry point into the working world.
They have been working hard all this time without certainty, without justice, and without any security protection.
Steven Sim (fourth from left), together with the Kesuma and Perkeso delegation, bringing Malaysia’s voice in strengthening social security to the world stage in Geneva in June 2024
This new law changes that situation. It ensures that as long as they have contracts or working relationships with service entities, they are entitled to fair protection.
For the first time, gig workers in Malaysia are officially recognised as part of the nation’s workforce ecosystem, no longer on the periphery.
This is more than a reform, it is a bold move that places Malaysia at the forefront of addressing the challenges of a rapidly evolving work landscape.
It demonstrates that Malaysia is not simply keeping pace with global trends but taking the lead in shaping new models of social protection.
From Kuala Lumpur to the world
Following this bold move, history will be made as the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) welcomes the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) from Sept 29 to Oct 3, with over 1,500 delegates from 300 organisations in attendance.
The five-day forum, inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, carries the theme “Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition”, which is highly relevant to our experience in Malaysia.
The presence of ministers, chief executive officers and technical experts from the United States, China, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Iceland, Switzerland and many more will prove that Malaysia is now recognised worldwide as a leader in discussions on the future of social security.
Sim: For the first time, gig workers in Malaysia are officially recognised as part of the nation’s workforce ecosystem
Leadership is not about who is the richest or most advanced. Leadership is about who dares to make changes at the right time. Malaysia has proven that a developing nation can become a global pioneer. The WSSF in Kuala Lumpur is a symbol that Malaysia is not merely following global transition but stepping forward to lead and shape its direction.
The spirit of Malaysia Madani
This is the spirit of Malaysia Madani, a policy framework rooted in humanity but with a far-sighted vision.
Through the courage to enact gig worker legislation to host the WSSF, Malaysia stands as a world leader.
We are not merely adapting to change but are determined to shape a future of social security that is more just and inclusive.
From Kuala Lumpur, the message is conveyed to the world that a developing nation is also capable of leading with a clear vision, making this transition not merely a challenge but an opportunity to build a world that is more just, inclusive and humane.
Steven Sim is the Human Resources Minister of Malaysia.
