KUALA LUMPUR – Delivery riders across multiple platforms are urging their employers to emulate AirAsia in providing their staff full-time employment, amid allegations of mistreatment.
A rider, who only identified himself as Firdaus, told a press conference today that the measure taken by AirAsia should be lauded, and is a good start to championing the welfare of those involved in the industry.
“If they can do it, why can’t other platforms do the same?” he said during a press conference at PKR’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya. The event was organised by the party’s youth wing in conjunction with a strike dubbed “Food Delivery Blackout” that is being promoted among food delivery riders in the Klang valley today.
Firdaus said AirAsia’s move to provide a guaranteed income of RM3,000 a month – on top of benefits such as Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organisation (Socso) and medical coverage – is particularly commendable.
In a statement yesterday, AirAsia had announced that it had become the first platform in Asia to provide gig riders with full-time employment, thus enabling them to enjoy a slew of benefits.
Other than the aforementioned, its food and parcel delivery riders will also enjoy annual leave days, travel benefits, exclusive AirAsia rider training, as well as free personal accident coverage.
This comes amid allegations in the industry that several platforms have been purportedly short-changing their riders by lowering their delivery rates and refusing to acknowledge them as full-time staff, subsequently causing them to lose out on EPF and Socso benefits, among others.
In a statement yesterday, Grab Malaysia denied reducing the base fares for its riders, clarifying instead that discrepancies in earnings were due to a glitch in its system, which has supposedly been resolved.
Another rider told today’s media conference that the excuse given by Grab is unacceptable, noting that similar justifications have been given over the years.
Meanwhile, a separate delivery worker bemoaned how many of them have been previously suspended from the platform following complaints from customers over unavoidable delays in delivery.
“Sometimes, the rain is too heavy for us to make deliveries, sometimes the shops preparing the food are too slow. When the customers complain, our employers, without hearing our side, would suspend us. Our voices are not being heard,” he said.
PKR Youth chief Adam Adli Abd Halim urged the government to step in and address the grouses of delivery riders, whom he noted are not protected under the Employment Act 1955 despite carrying out their jobs in a master-servant concept.
“All we are asking for is fair employment protection and rights. If need be, enact a law. Now, riders are not protected, but their treatment is over the top.
“It’s not too much to say that if nothing is done, this can turn into modern day slavery. The industry will be an exploitation ground,” he said, adding that any proposed formulation of a new law should also include engagements with the relevant stakeholders, including riders. – The Vibes, August 5, 2022
