Latest news with #GigWorkersBill
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Parliament meeting scheduled for June postponed one month, say sources
PETALING JAYA: The second meeting of Parliament, originally scheduled for June, has been postponed to July, say sources. A notice issued to government MPs and sighted by The Star stated that the June 23 to July 31 meeting would now take place from July 21 to Aug 28. "Among the key agenda are several government Bills and the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)," read the notice. Several government MPs confirmed they had received the notice. On March 11, the Economy Ministry announced that it was in the final stages of preparing the 13MP document, with plans to table it at the next parliamentary meeting. Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said 13MP, which will chart Malaysia's socio-economic development from 2026 to 2030, is being formulated in line with the objectives of the Madani economy framework. "The 13MP is vital to ensuring Malaysia's successful transition to a high-income economy within the plan's timeframe," she said. Several other important Bills expected to be tabled in the second meeting include the Gig Workers Bill, Urban Renewal Bill and the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Framework for gig workers to thrive
THE gig economy has rapidly grown in Malaysia, providing flexible work opportunities to millions of individuals across various industries. Gig workers, including ride-hailing drivers, food delivery riders, freelancers and digital platform workers, play a crucial role in the country's labour market. However, despite their significant contributions to the economy, many gig workers face job insecurity, lack of social protections and unfair treatment due to the absence of a legal framework governing their rights. Recognising these challenges, the government is set to introduce the Gig Workers Bill to safeguard the welfare and rights of gig workers. This Bill is essential for improving worker protection, strengthening Malaysia's economy and promoting sustainable GDP growth. Gig work offers flexibility and autonomy, allowing individuals to earn income outside the traditional employment model. However, this flexibility often comes at a cost – many gig workers lack access to health benefits, retirement savings, job security and protections against unfair dismissal. The Bill addresses these concerns by defining gig workers as a separate labour category from full-time employees. This distinction enables policymakers to introduce targeted regulations that suit the unique nature of gig work while ensuring fair treatment and labour protections. By recognising gig workers within the legal framework, the Bill sets minimum wage standards, reasonable working conditions and mechanisms for dispute resolution between workers and platform providers. One of the most critical aspects of the Bill is the implementation of mandatory social security contributions. Under the proposed legislation, gig platforms must contribute to gig workers' Employees Provident Fund and Social Security Organisation schemes. This ensures that gig workers have financial security during unemployment, illness, or retirement, reducing their economic vulnerability. Many gig workers do not have retirement savings, putting them at risk of financial instability in the future. By mandating contributions to these social safety nets, the Bill provides long-term financial protection for millions of gig workers, ensuring they are not left behind in Malaysia's evolving labour market. Beyond protecting individual workers, the Gig Workers Bill is pivotal in driving Malaysia's GDP growth. The gig economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Malaysia, with more than 2.2 million gig workers actively participating in various industries. As demand for gig-based services continues to rise, stabilising the gig workforce through legal protections will contribute to higher productivity and economic sustainability. Many gig workers face income fluctuations, exploitation and sudden job losses, leading to low job retention rates. By introducing fair wage practices and social protections, the Bill encourages greater workforce stability, reducing turnover rates and ensuring skilled gig workers remain in the industry. A structured gig economy also facilitates better financial integration, allowing gig workers to access banking services, credit facilities and investment opportunities. With formal recognition, gig workers can secure loans to invest in housing, education and personal development, contributing to greater economic participation. Additionally, the Bill establishes taxation policies for gig platforms, ensuring that companies operating within Malaysia's gig economy contribute fairly to national revenue. The additional tax income can be reinvested into education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, fostering long-term economic growth. Apart from strengthening Malaysia's economy, the Gig Workers Bill acknowledges gig workers' vital contributions to national development. Gig workers provide essential services that improve efficiency in multiple sectors, including transport, food delivery, digital services and creative industries. Their efforts help bridge gaps in the labour market while catering to consumer demands for convenient, on-demand services. The Bill enhances gig workers' job satisfaction, motivation and long-term commitment by ensuring fair compensation, job stability and career development opportunities. When gig workers feel valued and protected, they are more likely to invest in skill development, improving overall service quality. The Bill encourages skills development and vocational training programmes to empower gig workers further. By partnering with educational institutions and industry stakeholders, the government aims to provide gig workers with opportunities to upskill and transition into higher-paying roles. Access to continuous learning will increase Malaysia's human capital, allowing gig workers to participate in high-value industries such as technology, finance and entrepreneurship. A more skilled gig workforce will boost Malaysia's competitiveness on a global scale, attracting investments and accelerating economic expansion. In conclusion, the Gig Workers Bill is a crucial legislative development that will reshape Malaysia's gig economy by establishing legal protections, stabilising the workforce and promoting long-term GDP growth. By addressing worker rights, social security and fair compensation, the Bill creates a more sustainable and inclusive labour market that benefits not only gig workers but also the national economy. As Malaysia continues to adapt to modern work trends, a balanced and well-regulated gig economy is key to ensuring economic resilience, innovation and global competitiveness. With stronger legal frameworks in place, gig workers will be able to thrive in a fair and equitable labour environment, ultimately contributing to Malaysia's vision for a progressive and sustainable future.
Daily Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Steven Sim: No economy should sacrifice worker rights for trade deals, urges Apec nations to strengthen cross-border protections
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. — Bernama pic PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has emphasised the need for greater cross-border sharing of ideas, best practices and policies to safeguard workers' wellbeing at the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM), held today in Jeju, South Korea. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in his address at the meeting reaffirmed that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. 'I am extremely fortunate to continuously learn from the insights of colleagues in Asean and beyond. Even during this meeting, I have benefited from the experiences of other member economies in managing policies for platform workers, as I prepare to table Malaysia's historic Gig Workers Bill in the second half of this year,' he said. Sim added that platforms like APEC should do more to facilitate formal exchanges of such knowledge and practices among member economies. He also underscored the importance of a data-driven approach to understanding job market trends. 'For example, the Malaysian impact report I cited today breaks down the types of jobs affected in different sectors due to new economic trends, enabling the government to design more effective policy interventions,' he said. Sim highlighted a TalentCorp, the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources, report, titled Impact Study of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital, and the Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce. 'As we look into this issue, we discovered a stark truth staring back at us: that our citizen workers will not be replaced by foreigners but by computers and computer softwares, many of which are produced natively in our country,' he said. Sim called for unwavering commitment to the protection of workers' rights and wellbeing, urging all economies to uphold this principle even in matters of trade and investment. 'No business deal should come at the cost of workers' welfare, and no economy should be penalised for prioritising worker protection,' he added. Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, is themed 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Steven Sim: No economy should sacrifice worker rights for trade deals, urges Apec nations to strengthen cross-border protections
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — Malaysia has emphasised the need for greater cross-border sharing of ideas, best practices and policies to safeguard workers' wellbeing at the 7th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM), held today in Jeju, South Korea. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in his address at the meeting reaffirmed that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. 'I am extremely fortunate to continuously learn from the insights of colleagues in Asean and beyond. Even during this meeting, I have benefited from the experiences of other member economies in managing policies for platform workers, as I prepare to table Malaysia's historic Gig Workers Bill in the second half of this year,' he said. Sim added that platforms like APEC should do more to facilitate formal exchanges of such knowledge and practices among member economies. He also underscored the importance of a data-driven approach to understanding job market trends. 'For example, the Malaysian impact report I cited today breaks down the types of jobs affected in different sectors due to new economic trends, enabling the government to design more effective policy interventions,' he said. Sim highlighted a TalentCorp, the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources, report, titled Impact Study of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital, and the Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce. 'As we look into this issue, we discovered a stark truth staring back at us: that our citizen workers will not be replaced by foreigners but by computers and computer softwares, many of which are produced natively in our country,' he said. Sim called for unwavering commitment to the protection of workers' rights and wellbeing, urging all economies to uphold this principle even in matters of trade and investment. 'No business deal should come at the cost of workers' welfare, and no economy should be penalised for prioritising worker protection,' he added. Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, is themed 'Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work'. — Bernama
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia calls for stronger cross-border collaboration to safeguard workers' well-being
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has emphasised the need for greater cross-border sharing of ideas, best practices and policies to safeguard workers' well-being at the 7th Apec Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting (HRDMM), held today in Jeju, South Korea. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in his address at the meeting reaffirmed that workers' wellbeing is a critical and non-negotiable component of the Malaysian government's agenda. "I am extremely fortunate to continuously learn from the insights of colleagues in Asean and beyond. "Even during this meeting, I have benefited from the experiences of other member economies in managing policies for platform workers, as I prepare to table Malaysia's historic Gig Workers Bill in the second half of this year," he said. Sim said platforms like Apec should do more to facilitate formal exchanges of such knowledge and practices among member economies. He also underscored the importance of a data-driven approach to understanding job market trends. "For example, the Malaysian impact report I cited today breaks down the types of jobs affected in different sectors due to new economic trends, enabling the government to design more effective policy interventions," he said. Sim highlighted a TalentCorp, the strategic think tank under the Human Resources Ministry, report, titled Impact Study of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital, and the Green Economy on the Malaysian Workforce. "As we look into this issue, we discovered a stark truth staring back at us, that our citizen workers will not be replaced by foreigners but by computers and computer softwares, many of which are produced natively in our country," he said. Sim called for unwavering commitment to the protection of workers' rights and well-being, urging all economies to uphold this principle even in matters of trade and investment. "No business deal should come at the cost of workers' welfare, and no economy should be penalised for prioritising worker protection," he said. Sim is leading the Malaysian delegation to the HRDMM in Jeju, which is being held for the first time in 11 years, with the last meeting taking place in Vietnam in 2014. The meeting, in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Conference, is themed "Labour Market Sustainability and Future Work". – Bernama
