One of the main policies that i will fight for in Parliament is to ensure that there are comprehensive policies to regulate as well as provide progression for those who are involved in the GIG economy in Malaysia.
If Pakatan Harapan Government is given the mandate in the upcoming election, it will be one of our priorities to lay down a comprehensive policy direction in order to address this and to provide better protection for those involved including young people who are more and more involved in the GIG economy.
In a recent survey conducted by the Statistics Department 72.1 per cent of Malaysians chose not to continue their studies after the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Many of these young people instead go into either gig economy or cloud economy(online content creator)
However, Covid-19 and MCO has demonstrated how a segment of workers especially gig riders and contract workers are vulnerable without adequate protection.
Some of major issue faced by them including them unable to earn a living wage due to the gig economy’s ecosystem that was structured by platform providers.
They are also not entitled to any social security benefits, such as the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), social security and insurance benefits such as the Employment Insurance System (EIS) and medical insurance provided by the Social Security Organization (SOCSO).
That is why the next government must prepare a comprehensive plan must be tabled to address such workers especially the youth.
That is why once given mandate to be government, HARAPAN will look into policies to provide
- social security schemes designed to protect the welfare of gig workers. This covers the establishment of a regulatory body, contract agreements, free life insurance schemes and funeral compensation amounting to RM10,000 for 6 million gig workers.
- Extending the provision of special allowance to those who have lost their jobs as contract workers. Applicable to those who are actively seeking new employment.
- Career progression system for gig workers – A career progression system will be introduced for manual labourers and gig economy workers. Gig economy companies will be given incentives for developing the skills and career of their employees.
- Future-proofing /upgrading TVET as an another pathway for gig workers especially riders to progress to more sustainable and secure economic endeavours in the future.
We need to prepare for jobs of the future and also protect our young people that are more and more involved in this economy.