Govt appoints 22 Industrial Court chairpersons, 28 officers to facilitate implementation of Gig Workers Act, function of tribunal and consultative council
KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-two Industrial Court chairpersons have been appointed on an interim basis alongside 28 industrial relations officers to support the initial implementation of the Gig Workers Act 2025 and the establishment of the Gig Workers Tribunal (TPG) and Gig Consultative Council (MPGig).
Among those appointed were Datuk Dr Mohd Ghazali Abas as council chairman, Shanmugam Thiagarajan as deputy chairman and Ibrahim Baharom @ Abdul Rahim as secretary, along with other industry players.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr R. Ramanan said the tribunal is a key component of the Act, serving as a platform for fair, swift and cost-effective resolution of contractual disputes.
“The tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear cases, mediate disputes and make decisions involving gig workers and contracting entities.
“The council has been established as a strategic platform bringing together government representatives, gig workers and contracting entities to advise and make recommendations to the government on minimum income rates, payment formulas and sector-based standards,” he said at the presentation of appointment letters and certificates to members of the tribunal and the council yesterday.
Ramanan said the council is also empowered to engage stakeholders, collect and analyse data, conduct research and carry out related functions to ensure a balance between worker welfare and industry sustainability.
He said the initiatives are expected to benefit more than 1.64 million gig workers nationwide and could indirectly impact up to five million people, including their families.
Describing the rollout as a historic milestone, Ramanan said Malaysia is among the earliest countries in Asia to introduce comprehensive legislation protecting gig workers under the Madani government.
“The most important matter is the gig conference, with priority given to the minimum income or price floor,” he said, adding that the council chairman will spearhead the process.
Ramanan said the decision on the minimum income would be made through a tripartite mechanism involving employers, contracting entities, workers and the government.
“It is a tripartite decision. Everyone is involved and they will find the best middle ground.
“The study covers minimum income rates, calculation formulas and applicable standards, with the first phase focusing on platform-based gig workers before expanding to include non-platform contracting entities.”
Ramanan also said the discussions are expected to form the basis for a more transparent, data-driven framework for determining gig worker compensation, supporting fair, balanced and sustainable policymaking.
He emphasised that the approach is guided by principles of comprehensive fairness, not only to protect the welfare of gig workers but also to ensure a sustainable and equitable business ecosystem.
“The enforcement of the Act also reflects the government’s commitment to a progressive and inclusive legal framework, strengthening social protection and welfare of workers in Malaysia.
“The initiative has the potential to serve as a regional reference point in developing a resilient and responsive gig economy ecosystem.”
Ramanan also called on all stakeholders, including gig workers, platform providers and industry players, to support the implementation of the Act to ensure a more structured, fair and inclusive future of work.
In another development, Ramanan has denied claims by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) that no engagement sessions were held in the drafting of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), stressing that extensive consultations had taken place over the past year.
Ramanan said nearly 400 engagement sessions were conducted between October 2024 and August 2025, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including platform owners, artistes, actors and industry associations.
“The presence of various industry players at the ceremony today reflected the breadth of prior engagements.
Earlier, MTUC together with several NGOs and industry players called for a postponement of Act 872, citing insufficient consultation with worker representatives.
MTUC said it had also requested a moratorium and discussions with the Human Resources Ministry, but had yet to receive a response.
