Gig Sector Stakeholder Engagement Intensified Ahead Of Act 872 Enforcement - Ramanan

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) continues to intensify engagement sessions with key stakeholders in the country’s gig worker sector, ahead of the enforcement of the Gig Worker Act 2025 (Act 872), which is expected to come into force at the end of March.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the process of enacting a new law is complex and requires careful consideration, balance and in-depth discussions to ensure workers’ interests are protected, without jeopardising the sustainability of the industry.

Referring to an engagement session held yesterday with several key stakeholders in the gig worker sector, he said the platform provided ample opportunity for representatives to voice their views, raise concerns and submit suggestions for improvement.

“We held discussions while examining issues related to social protection, contribution security, dispute resolution mechanisms, fair income structures, and the role of platform providers in ensuring a balanced sharing of responsibilities.

“I will also bring forward each of these discussion points to the next engagement session with other stakeholders, including platform providers,” he said in a post on Facebook today.

Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan was also present at the engagement session. Among those in attendance were the Persatuan Penghantar P-Hailing Malaysia, the Malaysia Bumiputera Makeup Artist Association, the National Association for Interpreters and Translators, the Deaf Advocacy and Well-Being National Organisation Malaysia, and the Gabungan eHailing Malaysia.

Ramanan said that sound policies are born out of a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities, and listening directly to gig workers provides perspectives which cannot be obtained solely through reports and statistics.

“What is clear is that gig workers today are no longer a small or temporary sector. They form an essential part of the country’s economic backbone. Many of them are the primary breadwinners of their families, and some have even chosen gig work as a long-term career.

“Therefore, policy approaches cannot be halfway measures. The framework must be comprehensive, realistic and centred on workers’ well-being.

He stressed that no policy is drafted behind closed doors, as every decision undergoes a thorough consultation process. He added that he, together with KESUMA’s top management, will carefully examine every view to ensure the development of a sustainable, progressive and balanced protection framework, for both workers and the industry - not merely the passage of an act.

The Dewan Negara, on Sept 9, 2025, passed the Gig Worker Bill 2025, marking a new milestone in protecting more than 1.2 million gig workers in Malaysia, and putting an end to the era of legal vacuum for the group.

Act 872 was gazetted on Dec 31, 2025, after receiving Royal Assent on Dec 16, 2025.

-- BERNAMA