What regional standards are needed for gig worker welfare?

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Regional Standards for Gig Worker Welfare Are Being Developed

Malaysia and India have agreed on the necessity of establishing regional standards to enhance the welfare of gig and platform workers, focusing on improving their social security protection and ensuring fair treatment. This consensus emerged during a bilateral meeting between Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and India’s Minister of Labour, Employment, Youth and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025. Both nations acknowledged that the development of shared standards is crucial, particularly as Malaysia recently passed its Gig Workers Bill.
Emphasis on Social Security and Fair Treatment

The core objective behind establishing regional standards is to ensure that gig and platform workers receive more robust social security benefits and are treated equitably. This initiative aims to address potential disadvantages faced by smaller enterprises when competing with larger multinational companies, which might operate under different, potentially less regulated, practices in the absence of international benchmarks. The ministers specifically highlighted the need for closer regional cooperation to achieve these goals.
Strengthening ASEAN and South Asian Cooperation

Malaysia and India have underscored the importance of fostering stronger collaborative efforts between ASEAN and South Asian countries to effectively tackle the multifaceted issues surrounding gig worker protection. This proposed cooperation seeks to create a more unified approach across a broader geographical region, thereby amplifying the impact of any established standards. The shared understanding between the two nations suggests a commitment to a coordinated regional strategy.
Broader Bilateral Labour Relations Discussed

Beyond the specific focus on gig workers, the discussions also encompassed strengthening broader bilateral labour ties. Malaysia's commitment to enhancing worker welfare was evident in the mention of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Recruitment, Employment and Repatriation of Workers, signed in August 2024, which has improved the management of formal workers between the two countries. Furthermore, Malaysia indicated its intent to expedite ongoing negotiations for two other MoUs, one concerning domestic workers and another focused on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The welfare of Indian workers already in Malaysia was also reaffirmed, with assurances that approximately 112,000 Indian workers are currently covered by Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), a number expected to increase with future agreements.

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What regional standards are needed for gig worker welfare?

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