PUTRAJAYA – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed to include the cost of medical treatment for gig economy workers in the Gig Workers Bill 2024, which will be presented to Parliament in December.
According to Zahid, although this would have financial implications, the government needs to consider the plight of gig workers, as well as their contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
“I suggest that the cost of medical treatment be included, even though we know it will have financial implications, but we (the government) need to care.
“We will discuss in detail with the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma), the Finance Ministry (MOF), and our own secretariat to provide some input,” he said when met after officiating the Madani Malaysian Gig Economy Convention earlier today.
Also present was the chairman of the Gig Economy and Trade Union Secretariat, Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin.
Earlier, Scoop reported that the Bill, which provides protection for full-time and part-time gig workers, is expected to be tabled in Parliament for its first reading on December 10.
Sources told Scoop that the Bill will take into account aspects of protection, and even part-time workers will enjoy financial and fiduciary protection, as enshrined in the Employees Act.
The Gig Workers Bill 2024 will be tabled by the Human Resources Minister, Steven Sim, and is expected to be gazetted into law by mid-next year.
Four key aspects are given attention in this Bill, namely the definition of gig workers, basic compensation, social security protection, and dispute resolution through the Gig Workers Tribunal.
Elaborating further, Zahid said that the safety and security protection enshrined in the Act will not only involve working hours but also 24-hour protection to safeguard the rights and social welfare of gig workers.
He said that the concerns raised by gig workers are taken seriously because many are calling for protection that can guarantee their future livelihoods.
“This is the request from gig workers; most of them are between 19 and 34 years old, and one day they will reach retirement age.
“They need protection, and if there is no protection, it will disappoint them.
“So, as a caring nation, (the Act) will cover time outside of work as well,” he said. – October 28, 2024