KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) has welcomed the passing of the Gig Workers Bill 2025, describing it as a landmark step in providing long-overdue legal protection to platform-based and freelance workers.
SLS president Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin said the Bill filled a longstanding gap in Malaysia’s employment laws by recognising gig workers as a distinct category, moving beyond the traditional classification of “employees” or “independent contractors”.
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“The Bill introduces minimum standards for service agreements, ensures timely payment, provides a dispute resolution framework, establishes a Gig Workers Tribunal, and extends occupational safety and health protections to gig workers while on the job,” he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 8).
It also makes contributions mandatory under PERKESO’s Self-Employment Social Security Scheme and protects gig workers’ service agreements from termination, except for just cause or excuse.
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Nazim said the inclusion of an internal grievance mechanism was equally significant, requiring contracting parties to equip their staff, including human resource personnel, in-house counsel and relevant officers, with proper training to handle grievances effectively.
“This approach will help resolve disputes at an early stage and minimise the risk of escalation,” he added.
He noted that the tribunal is expected to provide more accessible remedies for workers, but stressed that clear procedural rules and regulations must be in place to ensure its effectiveness.
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“Ongoing and meaningful consultation with stakeholders will be essential to ensure that the rules and regulations are both practical and enforceable,” he added.
Nazim said the Bill marked a positive step towards clarity and accountability in the sector, but noted that structured collaboration with all parties involved is needed.
“As the Bill moves into its implementation phase, it is important that gig workers, contracting entities and the legal community work together to ensure the framework is balanced, practical and sustainable,” he said.
