TWO groups from the gig economy will be meeting Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong to air their grievances on alleged unfair treatment linked to their income.

Malaysian P-hailing (food delivery) Riders’ Association deputy president Abdul Hakim Abdul Rani said the group who will be meeting Wee on Monday will raise issues such as fare structure, safety, welfare and the security of riders and drivers. They also want to be recognised as workers eligible to receive EPF and Socso benefits.

He said p-hailing workers want the government to set up a regulatory body to address issues arising between the service provider and workers regarding salaries, commission, a proper work system and travel distance.

“We are asking for protection for the workers. Their welfare is important. We want to suggest that the gig economy be recognised as workers under the Employment Act 1955.”

He said one of the main issues they will be asking Wee is to restructure the fares.

“We want fare stability for the long term. We will suggest that for the first 5km we be paid RM5 and 80 sen for every subsequent kilometre.

Food delivery riders yesterday staged a 24-hour boycott to protest against ‘unfair’ payment rates.

They had gathered at Grab headquarters in Petaling Jaya to protest against what they claimed was unfair treatment.

Grab Driver Malaysia Association deputy president Mohd Azril Ahmat said the reason why the riders went on strike yesterday was to send a message to the authorities that the money earned from the service providers is not equivalent to the work being done.

“Business for e-hailing service has also dipped to 60% due to a new app (new competitor) that’s available now.

“It allows the customer to fix the price they want to pay for their ride.

“For instance, Grab charges RM65 for a trip to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but with the new app, customers only pay RM30,” he said.

He said that since some customers have moved to the new app, Grab has lowered its prices to stay competitive.

“Reducing the fare rate affects us drivers.

“For instance, for an hour’s drive, you only get RM30, which is not worth the drivers’  time and effort,” he said.

The association wants Grab fares to be increased between 15% and 20%.

“Currently, we are earning less but spending more time on the road.”

Azril also said that because of the blackout yesterday, 60% of the members in his association, which currently numbers 700, went offline.

“I told them to decide if they wanted to go on strike.”

He added, the association hopes to hear a solution for this problem from the authorities soon.

“We will give between three and six months for the government to come up with a solution. If not we will protest again.” – August 6, 2022.