‘Expedite setting up of gig economy regulatory body to protect p-hailing drivers’

KUALA LUMPUR: Persatuan Perpaduan Rakan Penghantar Malaysia (PPRPM) has called on the government to expedite the establishment of the gig economy regulatory body to protect the welfare of gig economy operators, especially p-hailing operators In a statement yesterday, the association also urged the government to take shortterm measures to address the persistent problems of p-hailing drivers, especially concerning the reduction in wage rates.

“We urge the government to take action and intervene in the p-hailing issue. Only the government can formulate and issue a policy or guidelines for the entire gig economy ecosystem,” read the statement.

It also called on the p-hailing service GrabFood Malaysia to immediately return to the original pay rates for drivers and replace the drastically reduced new rates. According to PPRPM, the drastic move by Grabfood in reducing the wage rate decision without consulting the drivers is regarded as being disrespectful to the discussion held with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the matter.

“The issue was raised directly to the Prime Minister at the ‘Temu Anwar di Petaling Jaya’ session. There was also a discussion with the Transport Minister, Communications Minister and Human Resources Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“At that time, all the supervising companies, including GrabFood, agreed to review the pay rates for their drivers.

“However, it is disappointing that this problem persists and the current wage rates are very low. This is compounded by the unclear method of calculating wage rates,” the association said.