KUALA LUMPUR — Major gig economy platforms have welcomed the Human Resources Ministry’s latest engagement session on the proposed Gig Workers Act, describing it as timely and constructive.
In a joint statement, companies including Grab, foodpanda, Bolt and others said the February 26 session with Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan allowed for a “direct and substantive exchange of views”.
“Given the scale and importance of the gig economy, which involves over one million Malaysians across multiple service sectors, timely and structured engagement of this nature is both necessary and constructive,” the statement said.
During the discussions, the platforms shared data-driven insights on social protection design, compliance mechanisms, transition strategies, and implementation timelines.
They also emphasised the importance of careful calibration to ensure any new regulatory framework is practical, enforceable, and economically sustainable, while safeguarding income continuity and service reliability across the ecosystem.
The platforms also welcomed the ministry’s commitment to continued dialogue with stakeholders.
“Recognising the complexity of this transition, sustained and structured engagement will be essential for implementation and operationalisation,” the statement added.
The industry reaffirmed its commitment to constructive participation in the process, working closely with the ministry and relevant agencies to ensure the rollout strengthens protections for gig workers while preserving the flexibility and opportunities that define the sector.— March 2, 2026