KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance that the welfare and rights of gig workers will be addressed through a new legislative framework, with the proposed Gig Workers Bill set to be tabled in the next Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Anwar acknowledged that while progress has been made, several gaps remain—particularly in ensuring adequate protection for workers in the gig economy, Bernama reported.
“Insya-Allah, the challenges faced by gig workers will be addressed through the Gig Workers Bill, which will be tabled at the next Parliament session,” he said during his address at the 2025 Labour Day celebration held at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil today.
Also in attendance were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and other Cabinet members.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, secretaries-general of ministries, and heads of agencies including Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin were also present.
Earlier, Sim revealed that the drafting of the bill was finalised following extensive engagement sessions with more than 3,000 gig workers nationwide.
In his opening speech, he called on all stakeholders to lend their support to the government’s efforts.
“I call on everyone to not stand in the way of the government’s mission to safeguard the welfare of gig workers. Support the Gig Workers Bill so we can better protect their rights,” he said.
Sim also announced that the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) would establish a One-Stop Worker Service Centre to improve access to services related to labour issues.
He said the initiative would consolidate various government departments and agencies under one roof for better efficiency, with a pilot phase involving three centres to be launched in Penang, the Klang Valley, and Johor Bahru.
This year’s Labour Day celebration, themed Pekerja Kesuma Bangsa, attracted more than 10,000 participants from both public and private sectors. – May 1, 2025