THE Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 827), which comes into effect on Tuesday, March 31, establishes a dedicated framework for the estimated 1.64 million Malaysians involved in ride-hailing, delivery, freelance, and other gig roles.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the legislation is designed to give workers basic legal protections and formal channels to resolve disputes.
“Under this Act, gig workers now have a clear pathway to raise concerns relating to payments, account suspensions, or alleged breaches of service agreements,” he said.
Complaints may be submitted via the Human Resources Ministry’s e-Aduan system or at any ministry office, and will be tracked to resolution within 21 working days.
Where disputes cannot be settled internally or through conciliation at the Industrial Relations Department, the Act allows cases to be escalated to a newly established Gig Workers Tribunal, offering an independent avenue for adjudication.
The law also establishes a 26-member Gig Advisory Council, representing government bodies, gig workers, and contracting entities, which will provide guidance on minimum income rates, sector-specific standards, and regional variations.
The council is scheduled to begin operations on April 1 and will serve as a consultative platform for policies affecting the sector.
Additionally, the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) has been created under the Act to regulate the industry and oversee the implementation of worker protections.
Specific regulations, enforcement procedures, and implementation timelines are expected in forthcoming guidelines and subsidiary legislation. - March 31, 2026
