Recently, the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (MYCentre4IR) conducted a survey on the world of gig workers in Malaysia, dissecting their demographics, motivations, earnings, experiences, and views on regulation.
In Malaysia, gig workers represent a significant portion of the labour market, comprising 26% of the workforce, or about 4 million people.
The study, conducted over nearly five months starting early this year, included 1,500 gig workers from across the country.
This study highlights the appeal of the gig economy, emphasising the flexibility, accessibility, and additional income it offers.
People are drawn to various types of gig work, both platform-based and otherwise, due to these benefits.
The study found out that gig workers predominantly work part-time (70%), and often have full-time jobs, but around 19% of them plan to make gig work their long-term career.
The study also provides demographic insights, showing that nearly 80% of gig workers are aged 25 and above, with a significant portion in the 25 to 34 age group. Additionally, 60% of these workers hold a diploma or higher qualification.
It was found that the gig work contributing an average of 37% to their total income, indicating that gig work often serves as a supplementary rather than a primary source of income.
The study includes several recommendations for the government, emphasising the need for social security, particularly for lower-income gig workers and those considering gig work as a long-term career.
It also calls for better social protection for gig workers. The study suggests that the government, through the Ministry of Human Resource and its agencies, should invest in training and education programs to help gig workers develop new skills, enhance their employability, and transition to higher-paying gigs or traditional employment.
This could involve partnerships with educational institutions, industry associations, and employers to offer relevant training opportunities.
Existing programs, such as the partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and gig platforms, and PERKESO’s Bina Kerja program, could be expanded to achieve these objectives.
If you want to read the full study, you can head over to MYCentre4IR.
