KUALA LUMPUR – There is no need for a Gig Economy Commission if it is only to ensure better social security, salaries and complaint management for workers in the industry, said former Land Public Transport Commission head of policy planning, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan.
Speaking to Scoop, he said these issues could be solved by the Human Resources Ministry and its relevant agencies without having to spend government funds on a separate commission.
“The set-up of this commission will be troublesome, making the sector more formal and unappealing for gig economy operators.
“There will be bureaucracy. This will only lead to a waste of government expenditure to pay for the commissioner, chief executive officer and members. Who will then sit on these chairs?
“Why do you need to establish this commission when issues faced by those in this sector can be solved at the ministry level and by the agencies within the ministry?” he asked.
Agyl, who is also director of Agyl & Partners, said instead the government should amend the Employment Act 1955.
“Previously, in the act, there was no definition for gig workers. If there is a need to amend the act, please do so. Bring the motion to the Dewan Rakyat for its amendment.
“Include the definition of the definition of gig workers in the act so that the ministry has the power to help and fight for their rights,” he said.
Wan Agyl said the issue was only technical, and the government needed to amend existing laws without requiring a new commission or agency.
“(The jurisdiction) overlaps with many agencies and ministries, and it would ultimately disadvantage the people, as the government must fork out more funds for an unnecessary commission.”
He said the gig economy concept must be understood first, as it is an informal sector that allows flexibility and dynamism in the industry.
Earlier today, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the first interim report to implement a Gig Economy Commission would be tabled to the cabinet tomorrow.
He said the report, prepared in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, was a framework document for the commission’s establishment.
”After this, we will get additional input from the cabinet, then we will make further studies, and the final paper will be completed in August,” he said. – June 4, 2024