Gig economy platforms call for collaborative dialogue ahead of gig worker bill

Joint statement from foodpanda, GoGet, Grab, Halo Delivery, Kiddocare and Lalamove

As key stakeholders in Malaysia’s gig economy, we appreciate the government’s efforts in proposing the Gig Worker Bill. However, we are concerned that neither industry players nor workers were fully consulted, a full draft of the proposed amendments was not provided, and the feedback process was limited.

To ensure a balanced and well-informed framework, we respectfully request that the bill be deferred to December, in the belief that a collaborative approach and extended timeline will contribute to the success of this initiative. This expansion will allow for more comprehensive consultation with both gig workers and industry players. We remain committed to engaging in constructive dialogue and collaboration with government to successfully achieve this goal and ultimately achieve measurable impact on alternative workers.

To create a sustainable gig economy, we propose the following:

• Thorough stakeholder engagement: We advocate extensive face-to-face consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including platform companies, workers, academics and industry experts. A phased and inclusive approach will help address the diverse needs of the gig economy and prevent any unintended consequences, such as problems with policy adoption, inefficiencies in implementation as well as compliance, higher barriers to entry for gig workers, business disruptions for suppliers, and rising costs. for consumers.

• Inclusive review process: We request that the draft Gig Worker Bill be published for consideration and input from industry stakeholders. Experience from other jurisdictions shows that a staged consultation process is critical to developing effective and balanced rules that benefit all parts of the alternative work ecosystem.

• Inclusive definition of gig workers: We recommend expanding the definition of available workers beyond e-call and telephone call to include all relevant sectors, similar to the PERKESO Social Security Self-Employment Law, which covers 20 sectors. Defining part-time workers as a separate category from traditional employees allows for rules to be adopted that are tailored to the unique nature of part-time work.

• Market-driven compensation: We advocate a market-based approach to pay that allows labor to move freely between jobs and industries based on demand and willingness to pay. This approach helps maintain balance, avoiding potential problems such as rising consumer prices, declining demand, and lower freelance earnings. This ensures fair earnings while maintaining the availability and sustainability of services.

• Voluntary social protection: We support voluntary participation in social protection programs, which is facilitated by platforms through information campaigns and process optimization. Recognizing the multi-platform nature of part-time work, this approach gives workers the opportunity to manage their own contributions, helping to maintain their autonomy and flexibility.

• Collaborative dialogue: We encourage continued dialogue with gig workers and their representatives to better reflect our commitment to fostering open, inclusive and solutions-focused discussions. This continuous feedback loop ensures that their voices are heard, while avoiding rigid structures that may inhibit the sector from adapting. It promotes a flexible approach to the evolving gig economy.

A well-designed and balanced regulatory framework should support the flexibility of the gig economy while protecting gig workers, promoting innovation, and meeting consumer needs.

We are committed to partnering with the government to jointly create effective and balanced regulations that protect alternative business workers and promote the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy. Together, we can create a framework that protects alternative work workers and positions Malaysia as a leader in the digital economy, driving innovation and inclusive growth for years to come.

This content is provided by Lalamove.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of Malaysiakini.

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