KUALA LUMPUR – Klang MP Charles Santiago has called for wider social protection policies for food delivery riders in the wake of 30 of them losing their lives while at work last year.
In the latest reported incident, a delivery rider lost his life just last week after hitting a pothole near Mutiara Damansara.
“They work under vulnerable conditions and suffer from a lack of comprehensive social protection mechanism while at work,” Santiago said in a statement.
Citing a study by The Centre which involved 400 e-hailing and delivery riders, he pointed out that 22% of them lack any form of life and health insurance, as well as emergency or retirement savings.
“Presently, Grab Malaysia does offer EPF contributions of 5% on the amount contributed by selected driver-partners, subject to a maximum of RM80 a year,” he said.
“Also, EPF and Socso allow gig workers to contribute voluntarily under their Voluntary Contribution with Retirement Incentive and Self-Employment Social Security Scheme respectively.”
He said that while such efforts are welcome, they must be considered as merely stepping stones to a more sustainable social safety scheme.
Santiago said that Putrajaya must recognise the status of these informal workers and ensure employers provide adequate social protection coverage.
“Crucial issues such as a minimum wage, insurance coverage, EPF deductions and Socso coverage must be made compulsory.
“The government must also include them as part of the national social protection system. In this way, informal workers can access the Employment Insurance Scheme, accident and health insurances and retirement savings,” he added.
Given how the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the nation’s economy, the government must also ensure that vulnerable workers are protected during times of crises, he added.
“Singapore has successfully established social protection for e-hailing drivers,” he said.
“Gojek has partnered with Gigacover, a Singapore-based insurance technology company, to launch an earnings protection insurance scheme for its delivery drivers,” he added. – The Vibes, January 8, 2020
