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Legislative bills

Malaysia Introduces Historic Gig Workers Bill to Protect Rights

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Malaysia has taken a significant step towards safeguarding the welfare and rights of its over a million gig workers, with the passage of the Gig Workers Bill 2025. The bill, a milestone in ensuring the well-being of these workers, particularly in the e-hailing and p-hailing sectors, was hailed as a "ray of hope" by Malaysian Gig Economic Council (MyGiG) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin. The new Act provides specific guidelines to protect gig workers, balance the interests of digital platform providers, and establish a Malaysian Gig Economy Commission to oversee its enforcement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gig Workers Bill 2025 offers over a million gig workers in Malaysia adequate protection, which they had previously lacked.
  • The bill provides specific guidelines to protect gig workers, balance the interests of digital platform providers, and establish a Malaysian Gig Economy Commission.
  • Malaysia is the first country to introduce a specific bill for gig workers, while other countries have implemented general rules.
  • The e-hailing and p-hailing industries had faced challenges involving many ministries and issues such as payment rates, licenses, and digital platform operation structures without clear guidelines.
  • The bill allows concerned ministries to discuss and draft more effective solutions, with the setting up of the Malaysian Gig Economic Commission expected to strengthen the sector's ecosystem.
  • The commission will play a crucial role in ensuring the law is enforced effectively, fostering a better working environment for gig workers.

Statistics:

  • Over 1 million gig workers in Malaysia will benefit from the new Act (BERNAMA News Agency).
  • The bill provides specific guidelines to balance the interests of digital platform providers and gig workers.
  • Malaysia is the first country to introduce a specific bill for gig workers (BERNAMA News Agency).
  • The e-hailing and p-hailing industries faced numerous challenges, including those on payment rates, licenses, and digital platform operation structures.

Sources:

  • BERNAMA News Agency (29 Aug 2025) - The Gig Workers Bill 2025 passed by the Parliament yesterday
  • Bernama Radio's Reaksi RUU Pekerja Gig 2025: Melindungi Hak, Memperkasa Masa Depan programme (Interview with Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin)

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