KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Malaysia and India have agreed on the need to establish regional standards to safeguard the welfare of gig and platform workers, ensuring they receive better social security protection and fair treatment.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and India’s Minister of Labour, Employment, Youth and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, on the sidelines of the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025.
“With Malaysia’s Parliament having recently passed the Gig Workers Bill last month, both ministers agreed on the need for closer regional cooperation and shared standards to ensure gig and platform workers enjoy stronger social security protection and fair treatment.
“They also noted that the absence of international standards could put small enterprises at a disadvantage when dealing with the practices of large multinational companies,” the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) said in a statement.
Malaysia and India also emphasised the importance of stronger cooperation between Asean and South Asian countries in addressing issues related to gig worker protection.
The discussion also touched on efforts to strengthen bilateral ties through existing agreements.
Sim underscored the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Recruitment, Employment and Repatriation of Workers, signed in August 2024, which has streamlined the management of formal workers between both countries.
He said Malaysia remains committed to expediting two other MoUs currently under negotiation — one concerning domestic workers and another on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The welfare of Indian workers in Malaysia was also discussed, with both ministers reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding their interests.
“At present, about 112,000 Indian workers are covered under Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). Malaysia assured that the upcoming MoU will further strengthen social security protection for Indian workers in the country,” the statement read. — Bernama
