GEM URGES FAIR ASSESSMENT OF GIG WORKERS ACT 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian e-Hailing Coalition (GEM) has taken note of the various views and concerns raised by several parties regarding the implementation of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), but hopes all parties will take a fairer approach in evaluating the legislation.

GEM chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said it would be inappropriate to portray the law in an overly negative or one-sided manner when the framework is still undergoing implementation and refinement through dialogue with various stakeholders.

“Some of those who are now vocal in criticising this Act were not among those who supported earlier efforts to establish a specific law for gig workers.

“The struggle to secure a legal protection framework for the gig worker community has taken years of advocacy involving many parties, including the community itself,” he said in a statement today.

He said the current debate surrounding the Act has largely focused on the perspective of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715-APAD), which is directly linked to the e-hailing and p-hailing sectors.

However, he said that the scope of Act 872 is much broader as it covers at least 11 sectors within the gig economy, including the creative arts sector, freelance interpreters, digital and freelance work, as well as various forms of modern gig employment that are expanding within the digital economy.

“Assessing the Act solely from the perspective of potential conflicts with Act 715 without considering the overall gig ecosystem is an overly narrow approach,” he said.

At the same time, GEM welcomed the initiative by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM) under the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA), which recently organised engagement sessions with stakeholders.

Masrizal said that, like any new policy, the implementation process will inevitably require continuous improvements over time.

“A more mature approach is to build, refine and strengthen the system together, rather than rejecting it entirely before it is properly tested in real implementation,” he said.

He added that GEM remains committed to working closely with KESUMA and relevant government agencies involved in implementing the Act.

“We believe this Act can serve as a starting point for major reforms in Malaysia’s future employment structure, particularly in ensuring that the digital economy grows alongside social justice, worker protection and industry sustainability,” Masrizal said.

-- BERNAMA