“Workers’ groups disappointed over shelving of gig economy commission”

The government’s recent decision to abandon plans for a commission to oversee the gig economy has left workers’ groups disappointed, although employers have welcomed the move.

Grab Drivers Malaysia Association vice-president Azril Ahmat said the commission was needed to better regulate the e-hailing sector.

He also said unhealthy competition had resulted in a decline in prices.

“Yes, it may be okay for those using the services, but not for the drivers because the impact is significant when prices are not regulated well,” he told FMT.

“It will cause a lot of implications, the first being excessively long working hours, damage to vehicles from wear and tear, and physical and mental health issues.”…

Last Tuesday, Putrajaya decided against setting up the proposed gig economy commission (Segim), despite assurances by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi earlier this year.

Human resources minister V Sivakumar said Segim’s powers would have overlapped those already exercised by existing bodies, including the national digital economy council, formed in August…

p-hailers had long highlighted issues affecting the sector, including wage rates, non-aligned key performance indicators, changing company standard operating procedures, digital discrepancies and unfair ID suspensions…