A memorandum on the establishment of the GIG Economy Commission of Malaysia (SEGiM) was presented to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, marking a major step in the course of safeguarding the well-being of gig staff in the country. On the QT was submitted by representatives from three workers’ organisations, together with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), Malaysian P-Hailing Riders’ Association (Penghantar), and Malaysian eHailing Coalition (GEM).
Ahmad Zahid, who can also be the president of Umno Malaysia, expressed his dedication to championing the reason for gig workers throughout the nation. The memorandum was not solely submitted to Umno Malaysia, but additionally to non-governmental organisations and MTUC, who’ve been advocating for the protection of gig workers’ well-being.
In a policy speech on the Umno General Assembly 2023, Ahmad Zahid proposed the creation of SEGiM to manage the gig business ecosystem in Malaysia. He emphasised the necessity to safeguard the welfare of the whole financial chain of the business, from service providers and suppliers to staff and consumers.
MTUC president Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani expressed his optimism that SEGiM would benefit gig economy staff, whose welfare has not been adequately addressed in recent instances. He mentioned, “I think MTUC has been fighting for this for almost four years, and eventually it has turn out to be a actuality following Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal.”
Mohd Effendy added that the establishment of SEGiM is a manifestation of compassion, and he is assured that will most likely be realised, given its endorsement by the Umno president. He additionally highlighted the potential for SEGiM to enhance the gig economic system panorama by way of collaboration with the federal government..