Concerns raised ahead of Gig Workers Bill tabling in Dewan Rakyat
The bill aims to provide a social protection network for Malaysia's estimated 1.5 million gig workers, safeguarding their rights and addressing vulnerabilities within the sector.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the 'Sembang Santai Teh Tarik: Industri Gig' session alongside Human Resources Minister Steven Sim yesterday.
A key focus of the proposed legislation is addressing the lack of Self-Employment Social Security Scheme deductions under the Social Security Organisation (Socso), which currently leaves gig workers unprotected in cases of workplace injuries.
Speaking to media at the event, Kiddocare head of business development Rahman Hussin welcomed the bill's intent but highlighted unresolved issues.
"While we appreciate the spirit of the bill and its efforts to support gig workers, there are still grey areas that need clarification before it is tabled," he said.
Rahman raised concerns about the absence of a regulatory impact analysis, which he believes is essential before introducing new legislation.
He also pointed out challenges related to setting a minimum wage for gig workers, noting that this would require defining minimum working hours which is a potential conflict with the flexible nature of gig work.
"The essence of gig work is flexibility. Workers decide their own schedules, and imposing minimum hours could undermine this."
The rising cost of living in Malaysia further compounds these concerns.
According to recent data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.2 per cent year-on-year in June 2025, driven by increases in transportation, food and utility costs.
Industry players are worried that additional costs imposed by the bill, which ultimately be passed on to consumers, could exacerbate financial pressures on consumers already grappling with rising cost of living.
Concerns were also voiced by an e-hailing driver, Abdul Halim Hapiz, who is a person with disability (PWD).
"We have yet to see clear benefits for PWD gig workers, particularly in terms of upskilling opportunities or meaningful support under this bill.
"Employment as an e-hailing driver has been a lifeline for many of us. But past regulations have already created barriers for us, and we fear the bill's implementation could further marginalise us and negatively impact our income," he said.
Sim earlier revealed that to shape the bill, 40 engagement sessions involving 4,000 stakeholders, including gig workers, platform companies, employers' representatives, politicians and NGOs had been conducted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Gold futures likely to track Comex ahead of American CPI data this week
KUALA LUMPUR: Gold futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives are set to take their cue from the US Comex gold market ahead of the upcoming release of the US consumer price index or CPI data for July, scheduled for tomorrow. The release is expected to intensify the debate among US Federal Reserve members over the direction of US interest rates in September. In a research note, RHB Research said gold futures will likely remain bullish this week, with analysts projecting a possible break above the US$3,450 per ounce resistance level, potentially pushing prices towards the US$3,500 per ounce mark. 'In a bullish market setup, resistance levels tend to be weaker. We expect immediate support to emerge at the US$3,350 per ounce level,' it said. The research house said traders are advised to retain long positions initiated at US$3,402.40 per troy ounce. 'To manage the downside risks, the stop-loss threshold is fixed at US$3,150 per ounce,' it added. On a weekly basis, the spot-month August contract increased to US$3,415.80 per ounce last Friday from US$3,310.40 a week earlier, the September contract improved to US$3,421.50 per ounce from US$3,316.30 previously, while October strengthened to US$3,451.50 per ounce from US$3,345.40, and November advanced to US$3,468.90 per ounce from US$3,362.80. — Bernama
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
US inflation data to test stocks this week
NEW YORK: A fresh look at inflation trends will test the US stock market's rally this week, with some investors saying equities are primed for a potential pullback after rocketing to records. The benchmark S&P 500 ended last Friday up more than 8% on the year and on the cusp of all-time high levels, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was at a record, as stocks rebounded from declines following a weak employment report earlier this month. Strategists at firms including Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley have recently said the market could be poised for some level of pullback after a largely unabated climb over the past four months, which has pushed valuations to historically expensive levels as a seasonally treacherous period for stocks begins. The monthly US consumer price index report, due tomorrow, could cause volatility. Data showing higher-than-expected inflation could undermine the growing expectation for impending interest rate cuts. 'I do think the market is set up for a bit of a pullback,' said Dominic Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist at Morningstar Wealth. 'There's a lot of concern bubbling underneath.' The S&P 500 has surged 28% since its low for the year in April, as investor fears about a tariff-induced recession calmed after President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement earlier that month had set off extreme asset volatility. The index is trading at over 22 times its earnings estimates for the next year, well above its long-term average price-earnings ratio of 15.8 after recently reaching its highest valuation in over four years, according to LSEG Datastream. Investors are also wary of risks posed by the calendar. Over the past 35 years, August and September have ranked as the worst-performing months for the S&P 500, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. The index has declined an average of 0.6% in August and 0.8% in September – the only months of negative average performance for the index during that time period. 'The combination of a softer payroll number with concerns of tariff-related inflation could be the recipe for a correction, especially in the seasonally weak third quarter,' Morgan Stanley equity strategist Michael Wilson said in a note last week. Still, Wilson said his 12-month outlook was bullish, adding 'we're buyers of pullbacks'. The consumer price index (CPI) for July is expected to have climbed 2.8% on an annual basis, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Investors will be watching to see if Trump's tariffs on imports are translating into higher prices after the June CPI report suggested levies were impacting the prices of some goods. Market bets on US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts rose following the recent weak jobs data as investors expect the central bank will ease monetary policy to help shore up the labour market. Fed funds futures indicate an over 90% chance the Fed will cut at its next meeting in September, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, LSEG data showed. That narrative could be at risk if CPI rises more than expected, making the Fed more hesitant to cut rates, investors said. 'If the CPI suggests that the market got a little ahead of itself, that can create volatility,' said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones. 'But if it's not worse than feared that can further reinforce that we are now in an inflection point for the Fed.' The prospect of higher tariffs and the economic fallout from those levies already instituted by the Trump administration has been a persistent theme clouding markets, but stocks have managed to rise to records despite the uncertainty. Higher tariffs on imports from dozens of countries took effect last Thursday, raising the average US import duty to its highest in a century, while the president also announced plans last week for levies on semiconductor chips and pharmaceutical imports. China could face a potential tariff increase tomorrow unless Trump approves an extension of a prior truce. The impact of higher tariffs on the economy could take a while to show up, and 'the market has kind of ignored the potential negative impact of this friction to the economy', said Matt Rowe, senior portfolio manager at Man Group. 'The market has gotten comfortable with tariffs being kind of a non-event, which I don't think is correct,' Rowe said. — Reuters
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Zahid: We've failed in war against drugs despite spending RM50bil
KUALA LUMPUR: After spending RM50 billion on drug prevention, enforcement and treatment, Malaysia must admit that it has failed to curb the problem. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the number of drug cases was consistently on the rise, including among educated Malaysians. He said the use of synthetic drugs was now rampant and online sales of narcotics were also on the rise. "The government has spent over RM50 billion to conduct prevention, enforcmenet and treatment for drugs but cases are still on a rise. "We have to admit this failure. And find a way to move forward," he said in his keynote speech at Malaysian Drug Prevention Association's (Pemadam) biennial general meeting. However, he did not provide details on the RM50 billion spent. He said he will review the programmes under Pemadam before approving any allocations. "I want to look at the programmes first before providing financial assistance," said Zahid, who is the chairman of the special cabinet committee on the eradication of drug abuse. He said Pemadam needed to listen to the younger generation and connect with them differently. "We can't use conventional methods. Addicts don't want a lecture, as how thieves also do not want to hear lectures from the police's Criminal Investigation Department," he said. Moving forward, Zahid said that Pemadam should form strategic partnerships with influencers towards a new strategy to understand and empathetically approach drug users. He also urged the organisation to establish a digital communications unit in every state, improve its training modules for volunteers, form an integrated information portal and a mobile phone application. Zahid said he wanted Pemadam to remain relevant after 50 years of anti-drug advocacy.
