A DAP backbencher has dismissed Suhakam’s complaint of not being consulted by the human resources ministry in its drafting of the Gig Workers Bill 2025.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said the ministry was not obligated to engage Suhakam on the proposed law for gig workers since it had already consulted the direct stakeholders under the bill.
He said that rights group North-South Initiative had even described the bill as having “transparency and participatory engagement” unlike any other law tabled.
“It is these engagements with stakeholders that resulted in many of them expressing support for the bill, including Gabungan E-Hailing Malaysia, the Professional Film Workers Association of Malaysia, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, Cuepacs, the Bar Council and others, including economists and activists.
“The ministry has also obtained feedback from the parliamentary select committee on this bill. It is therefore perplexing that Suhakam is asking for the bill to be delayed simply because they feel that they were not consulted,” he said in a post on X.
Earlier today, Suhakam welcomed the bill but said that further improvements were necessary, calling for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat to be delayed.
In a statement, the commission also expressed regret that it was not consulted in the bill’s drafting and voiced concern over the apparently last-minute public disclosure of the bill by the government.
The Gig Workers Bill, aimed at providing protection and recognition for workers in the sector, was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. The second and third readings are scheduled for today.
Key elements include an official definition of gig workers, setting minimum compensation, establishing a complaints mechanism, and ensuring social security protection through mandatory contributions to Perkeso.
