THE 2025 Gig Workers Bill, set to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next month, will serve as a defining moment of political courage — or a betrayal of Malaysia’s gig workforce — according to the Malaysian eHailing Alliance (Gabungan eHailing Malaysia, GEM).
“Gig workers are not disposable tools. They are individuals with responsibilities and a right to live with dignity,” said GEM chief activist Jose Rizal in a statement on Sunday.
He called on all Members of Parliament to set aside political differences and support the legislation unanimously.
“This is not about party politics but about dignity, justice, and the future of hundreds of thousands of people working in the gig economy,” he stressed. “This Bill must become a legal shield against wage manipulation and systemic exploitation.”
The proposed legislation, which aims to improve protections and welfare for gig workers, comes after extensive stakeholder consultations involving more than 3,000 workers. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has confirmed the government’s commitment to presenting the draft during the upcoming parliamentary session.
Jose also issued a stern message to platform operators in the e-hailing and p-hailing industries, urging them to stop taking advantage of the economic hardship faced by workers.
“They cannot continue to hide behind confusing terminology and unreasonable excuses in the pursuit of profit,” he said.
“To the government, end the complacency and don’t be seduced by the sweet talk of the so-called ‘digital economy’, which may sound appealing but distracts from your true responsibility.”
He demanded that all platform-based operations be transparently regulated, especially regarding fare structures for users and fair, consistent pay for workers.
“Unbalanced, fluctuating and opaque pay structures are a modern form of exploitation that must no longer be tolerated,” he added.
The 2025 Gig Workers Bill is set to become a landmark moment in Malaysia’s labour policy as the country seeks to adapt its legal framework to the realities of a growing digital and platform-based workforce. - May 18, 2025
