THE Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has begun enforcing the Workers Gig Act 2025, making it compulsory for digital platform providers to ensure gig workers are registered and contributing under the national social protection scheme.
Perlis SOCSO director Ahmad Firdaus Hashim said the law, which came into force on 31 March, also requires service platform operators to integrate their worker data systems with the agency to facilitate monitoring and verification processes.
He said the integration mechanism was crucial in ensuring assistance could be delivered quickly and efficiently should workers be involved in accidents or emergencies while carrying out their duties.
“From that date, protection coverage has already commenced. Once this data integration exists, we can ensure all information across every platform is synchronised and make certain the contributions are paid,” he said when met yesterday.
The move marks a significant step in formalising social security coverage for Malaysia’s rapidly expanding gig economy workforce, particularly those involved in transport, food delivery and logistics services.
According to Ahmad, a total of 5,044 self-employed contributors across 20 sectors were registered with SOCSO in Perlis last year.
Of that figure, 385 individuals were gig workers engaged in passenger transport, goods delivery and food delivery services.
The enforcement of the new legislation is aimed at strengthening welfare protection for gig workers, many of whom previously operated outside traditional employment frameworks without guaranteed insurance or social security coverage. – May 16, 2026