Kuala lumpur: The Professional Film Workers' Association of Malaysia (Profima) has called on the Gig Consultative Council (MPG) to tackle the ongoing issues related to wages and welfare of gig workers in the film industry. The association highlighted that these issues remain unsatisfactory and in need of urgent attention.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Khalil Saleh, the president of Profima, emphasized that despite the significant potential of the film industry, wage rates for film workers have not been updated for several years. He noted that the current wages no longer align with the rising cost of living, underscoring the necessity for revisions.

Khalil expressed confidence in MPG's tripartite approach, which involves representatives of gig workers, contracting entities, and the government. He believes this could lead to systematic and sustainable changes, including the establishment of more reasonable wage rates. Khalil also mentioned the importance of aligning these efforts with the MADANI Government's Orange Economy plan and the Gig Workers Act as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Furthermore, Profima has pledged its support for Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan's commitment to enhancing the gig worker ecosystem through the implementation of the Gig Workers Act 2025. As part of its proactive measures, Profima conducted a roundtable session with various film industry representatives, including technical crews, creatives, and independent professionals.

Khalil stated that the findings and recommendations from this session will be officially submitted to the Ministry of Human Resources. These inputs are designed to reflect the realities of the industry and contribute to the ongoing discussions.

Profima hopes that these efforts will be sustained with a strong spirit of cooperation. The association aims to ensure that independent workers in the film and arts sectors are actively involved in the national negotiation process through MPG, rather than being marginalized.

Finally, Khalil reiterated Profima's commitment to being a strategic partner to both the industry and the government. He stressed the importance of building a fair, sustainable, and competitive film and arts ecosystem in Malaysia.