The prime minister said the government was concerned about the welfare of such individuals as they do not receive a pension or have savings under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

He added that the government is looking at ways to protect their well-being.

“This is a new system. We find that many are benefiting from the gig economy, hence we need to retain it.

“But we want there to be regulations so that the rights of these workers are protected. We need to look into their interest,” he said.

He was responding to Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) who asked if the special committee set up to find long-term solutions to protect the interests of those in the gig economy and their customers would look into issues such as Socso and KWSP schemes.

Mahathir said earlier that the committee, comprising the youth and sports ministry, the human resources ministry, and the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry, would also address other issues related to the gig economy.

He said the gig economy, as a new trend, presented a challenge to the government in protecting the welfare of those in that sector due to the “vague” relationship between “master and servant”.