Malaysia promises millions of gig workers a safety net, but critics see holes
A new law would mandate written contracts and dispute resolution, but labour groups argue it still leaves workers at the mercy of algorithms
As the clock strikes 8am in Penang, Syamil Azizi slips into his daily grind: picking up passengers across the island in his little Perodua runabout.
At noon, he pauses just long enough to pick up his two daughters from school before returning to the road, often until well past sundown.
Weekends offer no reprieve. Then, the 33-year-old swaps his helmet for a chef’s hat, working weddings and school functions as part of a seven-day grind that keeps his family afloat but offers little security beyond the next order ping.
No paid leave. No recourse against sudden dismissal. No say over their working conditions.
All that could be about to change, however. Malaysia is on the brink of enacting the Gig Workers Bill, a pioneering piece of legislation expected to take effect next year once it receives royal assent.