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Grab Malaysia Pushes for Fair, Flexible Framework in Gig Workers Bill

By  |  August 26, 2025

Grab Malaysia has called for a regulatory framework that balances protection for workers with the flexibility and innovation that underpin the gig economy. The company emphasized in a statement on Thursday that it supports a Bill guided by three core principles: flexibility, balance, and collaboration.

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    According to the statement, Grab believes regulations should safeguard workers’ ability to choose their working hours and income opportunities. At the same time, the company cautioned that overly restrictive measures risk undermining innovation, disrupting operations, and limiting gig work availability. Smaller firms in particular could struggle with high compliance costs, it added.

    The firm stressed that a one-size-fits-all approach would not be suitable for gig work, which is effort-based. Per the statement, Grab urged lawmakers to ensure the Bill remains clear, fair, and inclusive while avoiding policies that may unintentionally weaken Malaysia’s digital economy. Without proper alignment, the company warned, implementation could fail and harm the very workers the legislation aims to protect.

    Grab further highlighted the need for a thorough regulatory impact assessment and phased rollout of policies. According to the statement, this would help avoid unintended outcomes such as higher costs for consumers or reduced earnings for workers, while allowing businesses time to prepare the resources needed for compliance.

    Read more: Supreme Court Rejects Uber, Postmates Appeal on California’s Gig Worker Law

    The company also underscored the importance of collaboration, noting that regulations should be shaped through close engagement between regulators, platforms, and workers. Per the statement, the framework must consider the diverse types of gig work beyond platform-based models to ensure inclusivity across the sector.

    “At its core, Grab has been focused on creating flexible earning opportunities for our driver- and delivery-partners, enabling them to decide their own work patterns and hours,” the company said. It added that it has invested in worker welfare initiatives, including insurance coverage, contributions to social protection schemes, upskilling programs, and day-to-day benefits such as fuel discounts.

    Grab confirmed that it will continue to take part in discussions on the Gig Workers Bill, including its recent engagement with the Finance and Economy Select Committee at Parliament on August 18, chaired by Paya Besar MP Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

    “By working together, we intend to co-create a framework that not only protects gig workers but also drives innovation and inclusive growth for years to come,” the company said, reiterating its call for carefully designed regulations that reflect the realities of gig work.

    Source: Tech Node