Half of p-hailing riders rely on gig work full-time, survey finds
KUALA LUMPUR: About half of more than 5,000 p-hailing riders surveyed nationwide rely on gig work as a full-time job.
Nearly half of Malaysia's p-hailing riders, based on a nationwide survey of more than 5,000 respondents, work in gig work as their primary source of income, according to the Persatuan Perpaduan Rakan Penghantar Malaysia. Their chairman, Haris Fadillah Arsyad, attributed the trend to higher earnings compared to formal-sector jobs and the flexibility of working hours.
Haris disagreed with the notion that gig work is exclusively a temporary occupation, stating that some respondents have been involved in the sector for over a decade. The association currently has 1,736 registered p-hailing riders, with the majority aged between 18 and 35. Ride-hailing riders can earn anywhere from RM3,000 to RM6,000 per month, depending on their workload.
The earnings have enabled some riders to secure homes and vehicles through the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme. The Gig Workers Act 2025 has facilitated more young people to enter the sector, as they are now recognized as workers and must contribute to social security. Haris suggested that if gig work were merely a temporary job, the government would not have introduced the act, indicating strong demand for such work.
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