THE Malaysian P-Hailing Riders Association (Penghantar) is asking for the RM42 million allocation from the government for its Career Development Programme to be used instead for entrepreneurship programmes for p-hailing riders.

Penghantar president Zulhelmi Mansor said the move is needed as the majority of those in the p-hailing service are B40 youth who need knowledge and skills training so they don’t have to remain p-hailing riders.

“We do not deny the gig and p-hailing industry can ensure their future if it is improved. However, we should also help them to expand their knowledge and experience with proper programmes. For example, many Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders are more attracted to the gig economy instead of furthering their studies.

“They cannot be faulted for this as the global and Malaysian economic situation is unstable … and they must measure salaries against living costs.

“We hope the aid announced by the government can be channelled to skills programmes, which may help us produce entrepreneurs from among p-hailing workers,” he told Bernama.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM42 million allocation for the Career Development Programme for those employed in the informal sector, including gig workers.

He said the initiative, to be executed via the Social Security Organisation (Socso), will fund upskilling programmes for the group, including SPM-holders and below.

Other announcements included a government guarantee to expand gig workers’ social protection network with a RM100 million allocation this year to provide an 80% grant to finance their Socso contributions.

Zulhelmi suggested p-hailing companies ensure every rider is registered and has active contributions to the Social Protection Scheme for the Self-Employed (SKSPS) so they can be covered in untoward incidents.

“If they don’t have SKSPS contributions or if contributions are inactive, p-hailing operators should temporarily suspend the p-hailing riders’ IDs and ensure they have Work Disaster Social Protection for their welfare and their dependents’.

“If p-hailing riders are confirmed to be without SKSPS contributions or if their contributions are inactive, the operators should face action,” he said. – Bernama, August 3, 2023.