KUALA LUMPUR: The interim report on a study related to the implementation of a Gig Workers Commission will be presented during the cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the report aims to seek approval for a more detailed plan towards establishing the commission.
"The establishment of this commission is fundamental to ensure gig workers in Malaysia receive not only fair wages but also social security protection, welfare assistance and the addressing of labour issues.
"Following the presentation of the interim report, dialogue sessions with relevant stakeholders, including gig workers' representatives, will be conducted to strengthen the commission's establishment," he said in his speech during the launch of Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) contribution sponsorship and the memorandum of understanding exchange between the ministry and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) with Grab Malaysia today.
Present were Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad and secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Perkeso board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and Grab Malaysia's operations and mobility director Rashid Shukor.
Later, during a press conference, Sim said that the ministry would scrutinise further the report (with the input gathered).
"The final report is expected to be completed in August."
The study of the implementation of a Gig Workers Commission is being jointly held by the ministry with Universiti Malaya (UM).
In March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim approved the establishment of the commission, prioritising social protection, contract disputes and career advancement for gig workers.
Anwar said that the establishment of the commission was mainly to protect and safeguard the welfare of gig workers in the country.
Meanwhile, on the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) contribution sponsorship, Sim said more than 180,000 Grab driver (e-hailing) and dispatcher (p-hailing) partners received the sponsorship.
The sponsorship protection by Grab is for a coverage period of 12 months starting from the date Grab partners have registered with the platform.
"The sponsorship by Grab Malaysia is part of the Budget 2024 initiative, under the SKSPS contribution grant, with 90 per cent covered by the government and the remaining 10 per cent fully sponsored by Grab Malaysia for over 180,000 of its driver and delivery partners.
"Under this initiative, free protection is provided to eligible individuals.
"It aims to alleviate the financial burden of e-hailing and p-hailing delivery partners by ensuring their safety and that of their families," he said.
Sim added that based on Perkeso's statistics, from 2020 to Dec 31 last year, 6,546 claims were received by Perkeso for the passenger, goods and food delivery sector, with the total benefit payment amounting to RM29.3 million.
"From Jan 1 to May 24 this year, a total of 2,033 SKSPS claims have been processed with an overall benefit payment exceeding RM8.93 million, covering 20 sectors.
"Of this total, the e-hailing and p-hailing sectors recorded 631 claims with a benefit payment totalling RM3.3 million."
Sim said as of May 24, there were 622,473 active SKSPS contributors.
