KUALA LUMPUR: Members of parliament should set aside political differences and support the Gig Workers Bill, scheduled for its second and third readings tomorrow, to help elevate the dignity and protect the welfare of gig workers.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said many lawmakers had also expressed support for the bill, which is aimed at protecting the social welfare of more than 1.2 million gig workers nationwide.
“So far, many MPs have indicated their agreement, and I believe that, whether from the government or the opposition, they want what is best for the people.
“I am confident this bill is a good move and it is widely supported by stakeholders in the gig sector.
“As such, I also urge MPs to put aside political differences and raise the dignity of gig workers by approving this bill,” he said when met by reporters after a recording session of Berita Harian’s podcast at Balai Berita today.
Sim said this when asked whether he was confident that the bill would be passed in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, following calls by several groups for it to be postponed.
Responding to criticism that the bill, if rushed, would become the ‘grave’ of e-hailing and p-hailing workers due to its loose definition that sweeps all types of gig sectors into a single category, Sim said the law provides clear criteria on who qualifies as a gig worker.
He added that the definition of a gig worker is based on three key conditions, including whether the worker is a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident, whether they perform a contract of service with a contracting entity either through a platform or otherwise, and whether they receive payment for the service provided.
“Therefore, anyone working through a platform is automatically considered a gig worker.
“If it is a contract for service conducted via a platform, such as e-hailing or p-hailing, it clearly falls within this definition,” he said.
He added that the bill also distinguishes between gig workers who operate through platforms and those who do not.
For platform-based workers, such as those in e-hailing and p-hailing, they are automatically recognised under the definition.
For non-platform workers, he said, the bill refers to a table listing the types of gig jobs covered under Schedule 1 of the bill.
“This ensures there is no confusion. In fact, it provides a clear definition of who qualifies as a gig worker, the sector they belong to, and whether or not they are attached to a platform,” he said.
The bill had its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 25, which Sim described as a historic milestone in recognising and protecting the rights of gig workers.
It is scheduled to be tabled for its second and third readings tomorrow.
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