KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Resources Ministry is looking into the need for a law specifically to regulate gig workers and protect their welfare, as this group is not covered by the Employment Act 1955.
Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said so far, gig workers only receive social protection under the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme of the Social Security Organisation.
“The ministry has been following this issue involving gig workers in this country – whether raised by the mass media, or during a question-and-answer session in Parliament.
“There have also been the latest developments in the United Kingdom involving the decision of its Supreme Court on the status of their gig workers.
“Our ministry will be studying this decision in the UK on their gig workers being eligible for employment rights, and whether this can be applied or adapted to regulate the gig workers in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.
Saravanan said his ministry will be holding engagement sessions with stakeholders soon, and will convey feedback on the matter to the cabinet.
Gig economy workers are self-employed individuals who are free to focus on their scope of work within a set time frame, with the job payment already agreed upon.
The gig work system and characteristics give organisations and workers involved the freedom to have a more open job contract and flexible working hours, without being tied down to full-time work in an office. – Bernama, November 9, 2021
