Dr Mohammed Azman: “The need to beef up social protection for the gig sector in Malaysia is also one of the vital issues that are being addressed strategically.”
KUALA LUMPUR: The disparity in social protection within the gig sector and platform workers globally needs to be solved with legislative action and robust implementation.
The International Social Security Association (ISSA) 17th president, Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, said the pressing matter requires immediate intervention to ensure comprehensive coverage and adequate benefits for platform and gig workers.
This ongoing disparity happens as most focus on the coverage of in-situ workers, who are in the same location as their client, while online workers experience a significant degree of negligence, he said.
The G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting in Indore, India on July 21 centred on the topic of ensuring social security coverage for platform and gig workers worldwide. Dr Mohammed Azman was seated at far right.
“This critical issue prompted swift regulatory action from most G20 and guest countries, acknowledging the urgency of addressing the disparities faced by platform workers, especially online workers that are active across borders.
“Furthermore, based on studies from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), only about 15% of online workers are covered with work injury insurance.
“In comparison, less than one-third of in-situ platform workers are equipped with the same insurance coverage.
“Throughout the event, we emphasised the role of legislative action and robust implementation capacities in ensuring effective access to social security for all.
“The need to beef up social protection for the gig sector in Malaysia is also one of the vital issues that are being addressed strategically,” he said in a statement after attending as the ISSA’s president at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting in Indore, India on July 21.
His presence at the forum was centred on the topic Ensuring social security coverage for the ever-growing community of platform and gig workers across the world.
Dr Mohammed Azman added that the ministerial declaration also echoed the need for multilateral cooperation and further attention to this pressing matter.
“In fact, the declaration explicitly called on the ILO, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and ISSA to provide invaluable knowledge input for future G20 initiatives in this realm.
“We stand firm in supporting every nation on this collective journey, forging ahead with a shared vision of an inclusive and dignified world for workers,” he said.
