Gig workers commission: Take into account legal aspects, financial implications first - KESUMA

LEGAL aspects including new acts, grievance mechanism, and financial implications are among the things that need to be taken into account in establishing the framework of the Gig Workers Commission in Malaysia in order to safeguard the welfare of the group.

In a statement today, the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) said it also covers the determination of wage rates, social protection, and occupational safety and health as well as an integrated database for the registration of gig workers and platform providers.

As an immediate action on the government's decision to set up the Gig Workers Commission, KESUMA said a consulting team from Universiti Malaya was appointed in April and a meeting chaired by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim was held with the team on May 14.

"An interim report will be presented to the Cabinet in June and the final report will be presented in August," said KESUMA.

The ministry said that the establishment of the commission also allows a formal channel to be established to handle gig workers' issues such as complaints related to platform manipulation for gig workers, determination of wage rates and other related matters.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when speaking at the closing ceremony of the Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) in Putrajaya on March 2, said the establishment of the Gig Workers Commission is to protect the rights of 1.12 million gig workers with a focus on meeting social needs, resolving contract disputes and promoting progress the career of the concerned group.

-- BERNAMA