Gabungan E-hailing Malaysia (GEM) chief activist Jose Rizal accused the platforms of constantly finding reasons to deny gig workers social security, employment benefits, and basic worker rights.

“We at GEM see this as an outdated tactic by companies seeking to maintain the status quo – a system that oppresses gig workers by ignoring basic protections such as social insurance, employment benefits, and the rights that workers should have,” he said in a statement.

Jose also asked how much longer gig workers would have to endure unsafe conditions and bear the risks caused by company negligence.

“The rights of gig workers need to be protected now, not tomorrow or next year. Enough with gig workers becoming the victims of a system that benefits companies,” he said.

Jose said GEM would not remain silent if companies continued blocking the rights of gig workers.

“If they still refuse to acknowledge our rights, we will fight until gig workers’ voices are heard. Enough of this oppression,” he added.

Yesterday, several gig economy platforms called for the draft Gig Workers Bill 2025 to be refined to ensure that it is clear, practical, and can be effectively implemented.

Companies such as Grab, Lalamove, and ShopeeFood warned that without a comprehensive implementation framework, the bill could unintentionally disrupt gig work.

The Gig Workers Bill 2025 is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next month.

Key aspects of the bill include the introduction of an official definition for gig workers, the setting of a minimum compensation, the creation of a grievance mechanism, and social security protection such as mandatory contributions to the Social Security Organisation.