{
  "id": 13070814,
  "title": "2027 Budget: RM160mil boost for gig workers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/2027-budget-rm160mil-boost-for-gig-workers",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T08:23:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/10/1551518/2027-budget-rm160mil-boost-gig-workers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM160 million package on the 2027 Budget to enhance the income and welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing workers in Malaysia. The initiative aims to safeguard the interests of 600,000 gig workers by providing increased minimum income rates for drivers, assistance with vehicle maintenance and insurance, and contributions to the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). The package is expected to boost the median monthly net income for e-hailing drivers by up to RM227 and p-hailing delivery riders by up to RM100. Furthermore, the government plans to offer a 35% Perkeso matching contribution incentive to workers, which escalates to 50% if platform companies contribute as well. The government's commitment extends to self-employed individuals across 17 sectors, offering a 70% Socso matching contribution incentive, as the welfare of these workers is also a priority.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government is working with Grab to jointly fund a RM160 million package aimed at raising net income and improving the welfare of e-hailing and p-hailing workers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}