KUALA LUMPUR – Food delivery riders say the government’s proposed amendments to three transport-related laws have “added insult to injury”, as they would face more hurdles in their jobs.
They said the proposed amendments have failed to offer real solutions to the demands made during last Friday’s protests by p-hailing riders who want the government to pressure service providers over their welfare.
Speaking to The Vibes, several food delivery riders expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s “incompetent” actions in addressing the welfare issue.
The riders pointed out that the amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act 2010 require p-hailing riders and drivers to obtain a Goods Driving License (GDL) in order to work.
A rider, who declined to be named, said the government’s move to suggest the amendments does not serve the interests of the riders.
We have asked the government to keep an eye on the companies so that they do not treat us poorly, but now it seems like the government is the one treating us badly by forcing us to get GDLs for work.”
“The government is going to ask us to have a GDL so that they can regulate this issue, as a minister mentioned. But even if we look at taxi drivers with GDLs and PSVs (Public Service Vehicle licences), (we can ask) is their welfare currently being upheld? No.”
He also pointed out that the government’s proposed plans to lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 for p-hailing riders would create additional problems as it would flood the sector with more riders and create excessive competition.
The rider also said GDL licences do not make sense for those working in p-hailing on a part-time basis due to the costs and processes involved.
“People choose p-hailing as a side job because they want to earn extra money and have more (work) flexibility, but I don’t think they will enjoy the benefits anymore.”
Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said the government will propose amending the minimum age to 18, from the previous 21, for p-hailing riders as this will enable them to obtain a vocational licence on top of their motorcycle licence.
As for p-hailing drivers, they will have to obtain a GDL as this would allow the ministry to better regulate their behaviour when they are working.
Wee said this after a dialogue session with p-hailing drivers via Penghantar (the Malaysian P-Hailing Delivery Riders Association) and the Malaysian Food Delivery Association, as well as the delivery service representatives at the ministry here.
The minister had said he would meet representatives of p- and e-hailing riders and drivers over their grouses after the Food Delivery Blackout last Friday.
The mass campaign to abstain from work for a day led to traffic on the streets of the Klang Valley, where the protest was focused, being visibly devoid of the usual darting-about of food delivery vehicles.
Responding to Wee’s remarks, a spokesman from the protest, Mohd Firdaus Abdul Hamid, said he believes the government has exacerbated the problems faced by the riders as it has yet to resolve the issue of fares.
He also reiterated that food delivery riders do not agree with the government’s proposed amendments.
“Besides, we do not have any proper channels to express our concerns and to demand for our rights as riders.”
The problems we raised have not been resolved despite all our efforts. Our companies treat us unfairly, and now even the government is not listening to us,” he lamented.
Firdaus also questioned the government’s reasoning for placing p-hailing employment issues under the Transport Ministry instead of the Human Resources Ministry, which is more suited for addressing workers’ rights.
When asked about the possibility of more protests, Firdaus denied there were any plans to hold another rally similar to the one held last Friday.
Meanwhile, Azmi Adisyah, a p-hailing rider and third-year student from a local university, is worried about the costs he will have to bear in the future if the government passes the proposed amendments.
“The majority of riders come from the B40 (income group) who are already facing hardships from the high costs of living, and adding more costs by requiring additional licences is absolute nonsense.”
“That licence is not cheap and it will take some time for (many of the) riders to adopt the new requirement.”
Azmi also did not discount the possibility of taking part in another Food Delivery Blackout protest if it is to be held again.
He added that with the current economic crisis, high motorcycle maintenance costs and low delivery fares, riders already have too much on their plates. – The Vibes, August 10, 2022
