Dedicated Commission Needed To Protect Malaysia S Gig Workers

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From Nathan K Suppiah
The gig economy is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s digital economy, employing hundreds of thousands on platforms like Grab and foodpanda.
These workers play a critical role in transportation, delivery, and freelance services, driving economic growth. However, they remain vulnerable due to a lack of formal protection. They also face income instability and inadequate social safety nets. Urgent reforms are needed to safeguard their welfare and ensure the sustainability of their contributions.
Establishing a gig workers commission under the entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministry would provide a tailored solution to address the unique challenges of gig work.
Unlike traditional employees, gig workers operate more as independent entrepreneurs, making the ministry a better fit for overseeing their welfare.
Existing labour laws are designed for conventional employment structures and would require extensive amendments to accommodate gig workers – a lengthy and complex process. A dedicated commission under the ministry would offer a more efficient and focused alternative.
Gig workers face several challenges, including income instability, limited access to benefits like EPF and Perkeso, and few opportunities for career development.
Other Asean countries have already introduced initiatives to support gig workers. For instance, Singapore mandates contributions to the Central Provident Fund for platform workers, ensuring retirement savings and work injury compensation.
Indonesia’s pre-employment card programme provides training, health insurance, and financial assistance, while Thailand offers cash transfers, food coupons, and medical care for delivery riders.
These initiatives underscore the need for frameworks that protect gig workers without compromising the flexibility that attracts them to these roles.
A commission under the ministry could play a pivotal role by facilitating EPF and Perkeso contributions, developing upskilling programmes, and ensuring fair compensation and transparent earnings systems. It would also create efficient processes for resolving conflicts between platforms and workers, preventing exploitation while fostering innovation in the gig economy.
The establishment of such a commission is not just about protecting gig workers – it is about sustaining Malaysia’s gig economy as a driver of innovation and growth.
By acting decisively now, Malaysia can ensure that its gig workforce thrives and continues contributing to the nation’s economic future. - FMT
Nathan K Suppiah is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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