Kuala lumpur:<Text>

The Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872) will come into force by the end of March at the latest, once all implementation mechanisms, including the consultative council, tribunal, and related offices, have been finalised, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan. He stated that the gig workers' consultative council membership would be announced later, with priority given to major platforms like Grab that represent a large share of the gig workforce.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ramanan emphasized the need for time to finalize the membership structure and assured that an announcement would be made soon, highlighting the importance of prioritizing large-scale operators. This announcement was made during the launch of the Grab Partner Campus.

The Gig Workers Act, which was gazetted on December 31, aims to protect the social security, welfare, and dignity of gig workers, extending protections comparable to those of formal em ployees to more than 1.2 million individuals in the sector. Ramanan also mentioned that Grab had committed to increasing Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) coverage for its registered gig workers to 15 percent, up from 10 percent. Additionally, Grab is offering training and upskilling for 5,000 workers this year, supported by government funding through the Skills Development Fund Corporation (PTPK), to enhance gig worker welfare.

On the topic of regulating gig workers' income, Ramanan clarified that the national minimum wage of RM1,700 remains the baseline, while rider pay is determined by each platform. He dismissed the notion of a uniform minimum fare, arguing that it would strain e-hailing platforms still seeking profitability and stressed the need for a balance between worker welfare and business sustainability.

Ramanan concluded by stating, "Many think that if we just look after the workers, everything will be okay. That may be popular, but as I've told all senior ministry officials, we must have a balance."