But Is It A Great Gig For Everyone

---

Gig Workers Bill 2025: a rush to regulate, but are all sectors ready? Rocky Bru

As Malaysia's proposed Gig Workers Bill aims to protect gig economy workers, concerns about its potential impact on smaller businesses and media outlets raise questions If the Bill is flexible enough to accommodate the diverse needs of all sectors involved
Reading one newspaper's coverage of the proposed Malaysian Gig Workers Bill 2025, which aims to regulate the gig economy and safeguard the rights of gig workers, I realised that not one person or group interviewed had anything critical to say about it

Not one. And to me, that is a red flag

It’s as red a flag as when nobody in Sarawak dared to question their state government's insistence on prioritising Petros over Petronas, thereby jeopardising the larger interests of the nation

A weak opposition, as we all know, undermines the very spirit of democracy. Zero dissent, especially the failure of the media to criticise and question, is far worse

The spirit of the proposed Gig Workers Bill, in all fairness, is noble. It aims to safeguard Malaysia's gig workers — all 1.2 million of them, according to the compliant newspaper

But the gig economy is vast and diverse. It does not just involve workers like Grab or Lalamove riders, those in the music and creative industries, or freelancers and temporary workers in the media. It involves employers as well. Smaller companies need protection against larger ones, but the additional compliance costs resulting from the Bill could force many, especially in rural areas, to lose out unless the government offers generous incentives

The larger platforms like Grab, Lalamove, and Foodpanda have their own concerns about the proposed Bill as well

I believe it is essential that the Bill be carefully considered and tailored to address the unique realities of different sectors within the gig economy

While the Bill seems primarily focused on e-hailing and p-hailing workers, its implications will extend beyond these sectors — particularly to industries such as news media, which also rely heavily on gig-based contributions

This brings us back to the compliant newspaper that failed to raise any critical points, or perhaps was paid to downplay the potential issues

The media industry is already facing significant financial challenges, amidst declining revenues and structural shifts. Should the Bill come into force in its current form, it could unintentionally place an added burden on news organisations

Although Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has assured that companies will not be required to make SOCSO contributions, the proposed minimum standard fees, regulatory approvals for incentives, and potential minimum wage standards are cause for concern regarding the sustainability of the media industry

Specifically, the requirement for minimum standard fees for freelance contributors or stringers — while well-intentioned — may prove unsustainable for media outlets operating on tight budgets

Let’s not rush the Bill; there’s no shame in holding off until all aspects of the industry are properly considered

I urge policymakers to engage in broader consultations with all affected industries, including media stakeholders, to ensure that the Bill is equitable, practical, and adaptable across different gig sectors

A one-size-fits-all approach may unintentionally harm the very industries that depend on flexibility to survive. - August 28

---