Set up Gig Workers Commission quickly, says Anwar

 

The human resources ministry is expected to submit a report by June 1 to the Cabinet on establishing the Gig Workers Commission. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for work on setting up the Gig Workers Commission to be expedited.

He said it was important to pay more attention and concern towards workers in the gig economy sector, Bernama reported.

“For civil servants, there are the public service department director-general, the chief secretary to the government and Cuepacs (Congress of Unions of Employees in Public and Civil Services). There is also the MTUC (Malaysian Trades Union Congress).

“However, certain groups remain unrepresented. That is why the Gig Workers Commission is needed to provide more attention and support (to this group of workers),” he said during the National Labour Day celebration here today.

Anwar said this matter also involves taxi drivers, who have long contributed to the economy but have been left behind in coping with changing times.

Anwar said he appreciated the hard work of all workers at various levels, including in the gig economy.

Meanwhile, human resources minister Steven Sim said the ministry was expediting an interim report, drawn up in collaboration with Universiti Malaya, to establish the Gig Workers Commission.

This is expected to be presented to the Cabinet by June 1, he said.

“After that, within two or three months, we will present a comprehensive report on the functions, legislation, membership, financial implications, jurisdiction and other aspects.” - FMT