2027 Budget: Financial aid, welfare initiatives bring relief to gig workers

In Malaysia's 2027 Budget, financial assistance and welfare programs were introduced to provide relief to gig workers. E-hailing drivers and delivery riders expressed their appreciation for the measures, as they will help alleviate operating costs, boost earnings, and enhance social protection.

Food delivery rider Mohd Iskandar Demali, 27, highlighted that assistance with vehicle maintenance and insurance coverage would lessen the financial strain of operating in the gig sector. With over two years of experience working in Banda Hilir, he recognized the government's understanding of the challenges faced by gig workers amid rising living costs.

E-hailing driver Sulaiman Ibrahim, 44, mentioned that the initiative could raise the median monthly net income for drivers by up to RM227. As a single father of three children, he hoped to better manage his family's expenses and save consistently for their future with the expected increase in net income.

Another food delivery rider, Mohd Kusyairi Jamaluddin, 30, praised the matching contribution incentives for the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as a crucial safety net. He emphasized the high risk of accidents involved in the gig work, and expressed gratitude for these safety measures.