… In a protest on Jan 19, hundreds of Grab delivery riders voiced their objection to the company’s new fee and bonus framework, a recurrent action by gig workers whenever changes are made that affect their income…

In response to the protest, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pledged to establish a gig economy commission to protect them.

While commendable, the plan risks complicating the policy process rather than ensuring the gig workers’ welfare…

Any move to regulate gig work must take into account its landscape in Malaysia.

Today, gig work spans a wide spectrum — from manual ride-sharing and delivery tasks to technical freelance assignments such as programming.

Different tasks, different motivations and varying working hours characterise the diversity of gig work.

While those in technical tasks may get better terms and build a clientele, ride-sharing and deliverymen have to work long hours to make ends meet.

Whatever they do, gig workers are legally considered independent contractors without basic rights, benefits and protection accorded to those in formal employment…

Given the heterogeneous nature of gig work, setting up a commission for specific segments like ride-sharing and delivery is a myopic, short-term policy.

Piecemeal initiatives from such a commission risk overlooking other gig workers and the broader group of informal workers they represent...