THE government is planning to formulate an act to provide social security protection to e-hailing workers, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Zahid said he had held discussions with Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar on the matter to meet the needs of employers and employees.

He said the formulation of the act would take some time as it would involve the Attorney-General’s Chambers as well as gathering input from civil society groups and associations involved in the e-hailing industry.

“The act must be satisfactory to all parties. What is important is that it (the new act) will safeguard their (e-hailing workers) future,” he told a press conference after officiating at the closing ceremony of the MYFutureJobs Career Carnival 2023 in Hutan Melintang, Bagan Datuk today.

In the meantime, Zahid said e-hailing workers should be given not only insurance protection but also perks and benefits.

“We need to study (the new law to be enacted) to safeguard gig workers. This (gig economy) is a new thing, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, where some people had to quit their jobs and others were laid off,” he said.

“So reskilling is necessary. We must direct them to fields that fit their qualifications and experience so that social security protection can be provided to them.”

Zahid said the government will also make adjustments to salaries so that the income received by employees is commensurate with the work performed.

He said there are many job opportunities in the country, but many job seekers prefer white-collar jobs, involving administration or management, to blue-collar ones, which include those in the construction and business sectors. – Bernama, May 28, 2023.