HR Ministry denies MTUC’s “zero consultation” claim, says 400 sessions held for Gig Workers Act 2025, while union calls for delay over unresolved concerns.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has denied allegations by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) that engagement sessions were bypassed during the drafting of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872).
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan stressed that extensive consultations involving a wide array of stakeholders took place over the course of a year.
He stated that nearly 400 engagement sessions were conducted between October 2024 and August 2025, involving platform owners, artists, actors and various industry associations.
“From October 2024 up to August 2025, it was a year-long process. We held almost 400 engagement sessions,” he told reporters today at the presentation of appointment letters to members of the Gig Workers Tribunal (TPG) and the Gig Advisory Council (MPGig).
He added that MTUC representatives were not only invited but had actively attended several of these sessions. He pointed out that the presence of diverse industry players at today’s ceremony reflected the breadth of those prior discussions.
“They cannot just magically appear if we did not have the engagement sessions,” he said.
While acknowledging that there may be differing views within the MTUC leadership, Ramanan urged that internal union affairs should not overshadow the significance of the legislation.
“I think they should get their affairs in order, but that should not be the main focus. Today is a historic day. We should focus on what has been achieved so far.
“This affects the livelihood of 1.64 million gig workers. If you include their family members, we are talking about approximately five million Malaysians receiving protections they never had before,” he said.
Under Act 872, gig workers are now entitled to health and social protection, including coverage for medical costs and family support in the event of accidents.
Ramanan described the legislation as a major step forward in safeguarding the welfare of the digital workforce.
The Sungai Buloh MP’s response follows a joint press conference held by the MTUC, alongside several Non-governmental Organisation (NGOs), calling for a postponement of the Act’s enforcement.
MTUC Secretary-General Kamarul Baharin Mansor claimed that, unlike previous labour laws, the Gig Workers Act was passed without “meaningful consultation” with workers’ representatives.
The union has formally requested a moratorium, citing unresolved issues, including the broad definition of gig workers, the structure of the tribunal, and account suspension procedures.
The MTUC also questioned the Act’s focus on the “right to associate” rather than the “right to unionise,” arguing that full union rights offer significantly stronger legal protections for workers.
