KUCHING: Bandar Kuching incumbent Dr Kelvin Yii has vowed to fight for comprehensive policies to regulate the gig economy in Malaysia as well as safeguard those involved in it in parliament.
He said if Pakatan Harapan (PH) won in the 15th general election (GE15), one of its priorities was to lay down a comprehensive policy to address this and provide better protection to those involved, especially the youth.
“In a recent survey conducted by the Statistics Department, 72.1 per cent of Malaysians chose not to continue their studies after the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Many of these young people instead chose to go into either gig economy or cloud economy (online content creator).
“However, COVID-19 and movement control order (MCO) have demonstrated how a segment of workers, especially gig riders and contract workers, are vulnerable without adequate protection.
“Some of the major issues faced by them included the inability to earn a living wage due to the gig economy’s ecosystem that was structured by platform providers,” he told the reporters during the press conference held at DAP Headquarters here today
Dr Yii added that these groups of workers were also not entitled to any social security benefits, such as the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), social security and insurance benefits such as the Employment Insurance System (EIS) and medical insurance provided by the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO).
“That is why the next government must prepare and table a comprehensive plan to address the issues faced by such workers, especially the youth,” he said.
He further said that if given the mandate to form the government, PH would look into policies to provide more for such workers.
“Firstly, design social security schemes to protect the welfare of gig workers which cover the establishment of a regulatory body, contract agreements, free life insurance schemes and funeral compensation amounting to RM10,000 for 6 million gig workers.
“Secondly, extend the provision of a special allowance to those who have lost their jobs as contract workers and make it applicable to those who are actively seeking new employment.
“Thirdly, introduce a career progression system for gig workers and manual labourers. Gig economy companies will be given incentives for developing the skills and career of their employees.
“Last but not least, future-proof and upgrade technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as another pathway for gig workers, especially riders to progress to more sustainable and secure economic endeavours in the future,” he added.
He concluded by saying that Malaysia needed to prepare for jobs of the future and also protect the young people who were more and more involved in the economy.
