MIRI: In Miri, where food delivery riders weave through traffic and e-hailing drivers are part of everyday life, the passing of the Gig Workers Bill 2025 has struck a chord.
For the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS), the legislation is more than just new rules on paper — it is seen as a turning point for workers who have long operated without a safety net.
The bill, recently approved by the Dewan Rakyat, is Malaysia’s first attempt at crafting a legal framework for the gig economy, a sector that has grown rapidly but remained outside the reach of traditional labour laws.
Among its key provisions, the law requires platforms to provide written contracts, ensuring greater clarity on payment terms, service conditions and termination.
It also makes contributions to the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) compulsory, giving gig workers — particularly riders and drivers — protection against accidents and disability.
While retirement savings under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) are not yet included, the government has signalled that long-term financial security will be addressed in future phases.
Crucially, the bill also establishes a tripartite council, bringing together the government, platforms and workers to negotiate pay structures, commission rates and even the transparency of algorithms — areas that have often been sources of tension.
For Mohammad Hafidz Rohani, chairman of DUBS Miri, the legislation could not be more timely.
“Many young people and small entrepreneurs here in Miri depend on gig work, some as a side income, others as their main livelihood,” he said.
“This bill offers them more than just protection — it gives them the confidence to keep growing within the digital economy.”
He believes the move will strengthen Miri’s local economy, allowing small-scale entrepreneurs to scale up while being shielded from unfair practices such as sudden rate changes or arbitrary account suspensions.
On the ground, the changes are already raising hopes among drivers.
Mohd Zulkifli Osman, a DUBS member who has been driving for an e-hailing platform, said the bill could help rebalance fares against the rising cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance.
“For years, the fares haven’t matched what we spend to stay on the road. If the triipartite council works as intended, we could finally see a transparent and realistic pricing structure that looks after both drivers and passengers.”
Yet, for all the optimism, there is also caution. DUBS Miri has stressed that the bill’s real test lies in its execution.
Too heavy-handed an approach could stifle innovation, while too little oversight risks leaving workers exposed.
“The challenge will be striking that middle ground,” the chamber noted. “Protecting workers’ rights must go hand in hand with allowing platforms the space to innovate and grow.”
In Miri, where the gig economy is no longer on the margins but firmly part of the city’s income base, the legislation is being viewed as a potential lifeline.
Beyond providing protection, DUBS believes it will spur confidence, innovation and competitiveness — particularly among young workers eager to carve out their place in the digital economy.
For a city that has seen its entrepreneurial spirit shift online and onto the roads, the Gig Workers Bill 2025 is being welcomed not just as policy, but as recognition of the people powering a new chapter in Miri’s economy.
