THE Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) today introduced the first reading of the Gig Workers Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat, in what is widely viewed as a landmark effort to formalise legal protections for Malaysia’s growing gig economy workforce.
Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said: “The initiative stems from a policy direction first signalled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) on 4 March 2024, where he underscored the need for legal safeguards for gig workers.
In response, KESUMA partnered with Universiti Malaya to conduct a comprehensive policy and legal framework review of gig employment in Malaysia.
A special drafting committee was subsequently formed, comprising officials from across KESUMA and related agencies. The committee carried out 28 workshops and meetings, and held seven formal engagements with the Attorney General’s Chambers to shape the draft legislation.
Between October 2024 and August 2025, the ministry conducted 37 stakeholder engagement sessions nationwide.
These included two sessions with the Deputy Prime Minister, a dedicated townhall with the Minister of Human Resources, and discussions involving federal and state-level agencies, particularly from Sabah and Sarawak. Input was also gathered from gig workers, both platform and non-platform based, and industry players.
Additional consultations were held across six key regions – Northern, Central, Southern, East Coast, Sabah and Sarawak – with seven sessions specifically targeting industry stakeholders.
KESUMA also received and reviewed 485 online submissions, which were incorporated into the drafting process.
“To further refine the proposed legislation, the ministry undertook a benchmarking visit to Singapore, studying the implementation of the republic’s Platform Workers Act 2024 in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and conducting consultations at Grab’s headquarters,” he said.
Government officials also participated in technical deliberations on international labour instruments at the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva.
The Gig Workers Bill 2025 is divided into 10 parts and comprises 112 clauses. It is centred around four primary pillars: the formal definition of a gig worker; income and remuneration standards; a mechanism for dispute resolution; and access to social protection.
With this legislative step, Malaysia becomes one of the first 15 countries globally to codify a legal definition for gig workers.
“This represents a step forward in building a fairer, more inclusive and progressive gig economy ecosystem,” Sim said, “It ensures a sustainable future for over 1.2 million gig workers across the country and strengthens Malaysia’s standing as a globally competitive nation.” - August 25, 2025
