The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has denied supporting the Gig Workers Bill 2025, which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 28, saying claims to this effect are misleading.
MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said the union’s general council unanimously decided on Sept 7 that the bill should be deferred until the human resources ministry holds consultations with the congress.
“The meeting, chaired by the MTUC president, reached a consensus after deliberating on the importance and impact of the bill on gig workers.
“Objections raised by gig workers’ associations were also taken into account in the decision,” he said in a statement today.
Kamarul said MTUC supported calls by e-hailing and p-hailing groups for a delay, adding that ministry officials should experience gig work themselves to better understand the realities entailed.
In his winding-up address before the bill was passed by the lower house, human resources minister Steven Sim said it had union backing, including from MTUC and other groups representing some 1.4 million workers.
The bill, which seeks to provide recognition and protection for gig workers, is scheduled to be tabled for a second reading in the Dewan Negara today before being gazetted.
Kamarul said MTUC had also written to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sim, urging them to defer the bill.
He said that tripartite consultations involving the government, employers and unions were required as Malaysia had ratified Convention 144 of the International Labour Organization.
“MTUC urges that its involvement not be sidelined in the drafting of the bill regulating gig workers.
“MTUC hopes that the bill follows the usual legislative process and not any extraordinary method in the Dewan Negara that could tarnish the reputation of Anwar,” he added.
FMT has reached out to the human resources ministry for comment.
