KUALA LUMPUR | 25 August 2025
The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) today made history with the tabling of the first reading of the Gig Workers Bill 2025 (RUU 2025) in Parliament. The tabling was presented by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, accompanied by Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and International), Dr Mohd Shaharin Umar, and witnessed by key stakeholders including representatives from the e-hailing, p-hailing, legal and workers’ associations.
Minister Steven Sim described the Bill as a turning point in Malaysia’s labour landscape. “Last year, the Federal Court ruled that gig workers cannot bring claims or disputes to the Industrial Court. This meant they had no legal avenue to seek justice. Today, with the first reading of this Bill, Malaysia has the opportunity to establish the first law that truly protects gig workers,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament media centre.
The Gig Workers Bill 2025 consists of 10 sections and 112 clauses, focusing on four main pillars: a clear statutory definition of gig workers, the right to participate in income-related negotiations, mechanisms for dispute resolution, and social protection. If passed, Malaysia would become the 16th country in the world to provide a legal definition of gig workers – a significant step towards building a fairer, more progressive, and inclusive gig economy ecosystem.
The Bill has received strong support from various quarters. Karthigesan Shanmugam, Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Industrial and Employment Law Committee, welcomed the initiative, saying: “The introduction of a statutory definition, alongside mechanisms for dispute resolution, income protection, and social security contributions, represents crucial progress in addressing long-standing regulatory gaps.”
Echoing this, Jose Rizal, Chief Activist of the Malaysia e-Hailing Coalition (GEM), said: “This Bill could be a timely reform and a game-changer. It will strengthen the gig economy, making it safer, more secure, and more sustainable.” Meanwhile, Khalil Salleh, President of the Malaysian Professional Film Workers Association (Profima), expressed his delight that terms such as “gig workers” and “freelancers” will finally be formally defined by law.
The Bill was also welcomed by Lucy Lim, President of the Interpreters and Translators Association for the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community (JUPEBIM), who noted that it provides long-awaited recognition to freelance translators and interpreters. Similarly, Farid Mahmud, from the Deaf Grab Malaysia Representative Committee (RRC), highlighted that the Bill could uplift the deaf community by reducing employment barriers. “With this Bill, we can finally work with confidence, knowing that our rights and welfare are protected,” he said in sign language.
Labour leaders also voiced their support. Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor, President of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), reminded the public of the critical role gig workers played during the Covid-19 pandemic. Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, President of Uni Malaysia Labour Centre (Uni-MLC), congratulated Kesuma for bridging the gap between the government and the gig community. Founder of North South Initiative, Adrian Pereira, said the Bill presents a “win-win” formula that could reduce worker turnover, improve productivity, and ultimately enhance service quality.
With this historic step, over 1.2 million gig workers nationwide stand to benefit from stronger protection and recognition, elevating Malaysia’s standing as a competitive and progressive nation on the global stage. Kesuma expressed confidence that the Bill will pave the way for a fairer, more sustainable future for all gig workers.
