{"id":4328,"date":"2025-07-15T16:20:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T08:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collamedia.com\/?p=4328"},"modified":"2025-08-21T13:31:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T05:31:15","slug":"malaysia-gig-workers-bill-protection-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/news\/malaysia-gig-workers-bill-protection-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysia Moves Closer to Pioneering Gig Workers Bill with Full Industry Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>BANGI, July\u202f1,\u202f2025 \u2014 Malaysia is on track to introduce a landmark Gig Workers Bill into Parliament by August or September 2025, aiming to protect over 1.12 million gig economy workers across both platform-based and freelance sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government and Industry Align in Key Roundtable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the pivotal Sharing Economy &amp; Gig Industry Roundtable Session chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, key discussions laid the groundwork for the upcoming bill. Watch a clip from the session for more details on the proceedings and Zahid&#8217;s emphasis on worker welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Gig Workers Bill: To be tabled in parliament in august or september\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tU17q4r7m4w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Deputy Prime Minister Datuk\u202fSeri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi chaired a close&nbsp;door Sharing Economy &amp; Gig Industry Roundtable Session. The meeting convened more than 100 participants, including top government officials and representatives from over 80 gig economy platforms nationwide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstoday.com.my\/2025\/07\/01\/gig-workers-bill-set-for-august-or-sept-tabling-dpm-calls-the-bill-pivotal\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">businesstoday.com.my<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zahid emphasized that the upcoming law is a vital move toward providing \u201ca social protection framework for over 1.12 million Malaysians involved in the sector,\u201d and highlighted the need to ensure both worker welfare and platform flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Novel Legislative Approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast to other countries that modify existing labour laws, Zahid announced that Malaysia is pursuing a brand\u2011new standalone gig economy act. \u201cSeveral countries have amended existing laws to include gig workers, but in Malaysia, we are introducing a new and dedicated act,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that the Bill would comprehensively address gig workers&#8217; welfare, contract disputes, and social security deficits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Curious about how this legislation will differ from existing labor laws? <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd7XaWEhddBGRLogVO_DiIbhKGzYlC2uCDiODcWurvyrZtQmToPfZLI1hiJtLukYwukpL-mXgLCmTPmtW7hiMCQtfGXa9C_oibVbR3NCqLTtRcYosLuoPxGyUwZhcTIuHR768P9Fw?key=d8872-iio4HOyLfs2Y2sfg\" width=\"624\" height=\"377\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaking at a press conference, under the headline &#8216;Gig workers bill to be tabled in parliament by September, says Ahmad Zahid&#8217; from <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/thesun.my\/malaysia-news\/gig-workers-bill-to-be-tabled-in-parliament-by-september-says-ahmad-zahid-AO14388448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Sun newspaper<\/em><\/a><em>.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SEGiM Commission to Oversee Implementation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of Malaysia\u2019s new regulatory strategy is the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM). SEGiM will operate under the Prime Minister\u2019s Department, with MDEC as its technical secretariat and coordination hub across ministries\u2014including Human Resources and Transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its core mandates will include ensuring fair practices, promoting self-regulation on platforms, encouraging compliance, and facilitating policy coordination across agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about SEGiM&#8217;s role in shaping the gig economy&#8217;s future. <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXezgqSJ8fgnh-2oZuJ1B0zlXpJoC_C9V83-UoY9CiSqGQBU4fw9Vphzu1kTXpaUM2Wexsj-rCDZAYbt7ENHulAkjdQmuzRWgaz3RtCMgG4w8IJRw8pnIX3sdoNaFi_0_BXKaUUr7g?key=d8872-iio4HOyLfs2Y2sfg\" width=\"624\" height=\"575\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi addressing the media, surrounded by other men, under the headline &#8216;Gig Workers\u2019 Bill set for Parliament tabling, says Ahmad Zahid&#8217; from <a href=\"https:\/\/theedgemalaysia.com\/node\/761034\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Edge Malaysia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ILO Interest and Stakeholder Advocacy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has shown interest in Malaysia&#8217;s legislative direction, following briefings by the Malaysian Gig Community Secretariat in Geneva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, rider associations and advocacy groups like UNI\u2011MLC urged the government to publish the Bill first, allowing refinements later\u2014pointing to the urgency of gig worker protections. Platform companies, including Grab, FoodPanda, and ShopeeFood, have expressed concern that overly stringent provisions could disrupt gig income flows and livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Human Resources Minister Steven Sim revealed that more than 20 stakeholder sessions involving over 3,000 participants have been conducted, covering topics such as wages, social protection, and upskilling for broader gig roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who\u2019s Impacted? 10 Key Gig Roles Likely Covered<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on current draft proposals, news coverage, and expert analysis, here are 10 types of gig roles that are expected to fall under the protections of the upcoming legislation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ride-hailing drivers (e.g., Grab, Bolt drivers) \u2013 high platform control, location\u2011based&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food\/parcel delivery riders (e.g., FoodPanda, Lalamove riders) \u2013 location-based, algorithmic dispatching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freelance content creators (writers, video producers) \u2013 web-based gig roles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social media influencers, KOLs\/KOCs \u2013 paid brand campaign freelancers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital marketing contractors and consultants \u2013 independent but project-based<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Graphic designers and visual content freelancers \u2013 web-based creative roles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tutors, online educators, and gig teachers \u2013 flexible, digital or in-person engagements&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Translators, translators on crowd work platforms \u2013 remote, project-driven digital gig work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Software developers, web designers, tech freelancers \u2013 task-based, independent projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reviewers, survey takers, microtask crowdworkers \u2013 mostly digital-platform mediated roles<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These roles mirror recent data showing that roughly 26% of Malaysia&#8217;s workforce comprises freelancers or own-account workers\u2014some 3\u20134 million individuals\u2014with growing reliance on gig platforms for income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pillars of the Proposed Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The proposed gig law is likely to rest on four foundational pillars:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A clear legal definition for gig\/workers, distinguishing platform and non-platform roles and recognizing sector-specific variations. This is crucial for improving worker protection and establishing minimum wage standards and reasonable working conditions, as highlighted by FocusMalaysia.my.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum compensation guarantees, particularly for ride-hailing, delivery workers, and high-consistency gig roles, to address income concerns and unregulated pricing competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A structured grievance mechanism to address pay disputes, unfair suspensions, algorithmic bias, and discrimination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandatory social protection provisions, including EPF, SOCSO, health insurance, and retirement benefits, potentially subsidized through a national budget scheme that targets approximately 500,000 gig contributors. This ensures gig workers have financial security during unemployment, illness, or retirement, reducing their economic vulnerability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All information will be published here following a further official announcement. We appreciate your patience as we finalize&nbsp;this&nbsp;content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Malaysia\u2019s upcoming Gig Workers Bill represents a historic turn toward formalizing protections for gig economy participants. From ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders to digital content creators and freelancers, the legislation pledges to provide legal clarity, income security, and social benefits across diverse gig roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The strong industry participation at the July roundtable, coupled with regulatory oversight through SEGiM and multi-stakeholder input, underscores Malaysia\u2019s ambition to establish a comprehensive and globally benchmarked gig economy framework.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BANGI, July\u202f1,\u202f2025 \u2014 Malaysia is on track to introduce a landmark Gig Workers Bill into Parliament by August or September 2025, aiming to protect over 1.12 million gig economy workers across both platform-based and freelance sectors. Government and Industry Align in Key Roundtable During the pivotal Sharing Economy &amp; Gig Industry Roundtable Session chaired by [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4329,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[852],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","has-thumb"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/bill.webp?fit=512%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgEIpy-17O","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4328"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6041,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4328\/revisions\/6041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bigdomain.asia\/collamedia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}