Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged that all issues concerning the welfare and rights of gig workers will be promptly addressed through the introduction of a new legislative framework. He announced that the Gig Workers Bill will be tabled during the upcoming session of the Dewan Rakyat.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to rectify several shortcomings, particularly in terms of ensuring adequate protection for those in the gig economy. He expressed confidence that the challenges faced by gig workers would be addressed through the proposed bill, as stated in his address at the 2025 Labour Day celebration held at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and other Cabinet ministers, were in attendance. The event also saw the presence of 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.
Earlier, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim disclosed that the bill was completed following engagement sessions with over 3,000 gig workers across the country. In his opening speech, Sim urged all parties to support the government’s efforts in passing the bill, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the welfare of gig workers.
Sim also announced that the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) will establish One-Stop Worker Service Centres to streamline access to services related to labor issues. This initiative aims to consolidate multiple government departments and agencies under one roof for greater efficiency, with pilot projects to be launched in Penang, the Klang Valley, and Johor Bahru.
The 2025 Labour Day celebration, themed “Pekerja Kesuma Bangsa,” attracted over 10,000 participants from various sectors, including both public and private agencies.