The gig economy and labor rights in Malaysia: balancing flexibility with security

The gig economy in Malaysia has seen rapid growth in recent years, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted conventional employment and prompted a surge in platform-based work. Gig work refers to short-term, flexible jobs often mediated through digital platforms such as Grab, Foodpanda, Shopee, and GoGet. While these opportunities offer flexibility and income streams for many Malaysians, particularly youth and those in urban centres, they also raise pressing concerns about the absence of legal protections, stable income, and access to social security. As Malaysia transitions into a high- income economy, striking a balance between flexibility and labour security in the gig sector has become a key policy challenge.