PROTECTING GIG WORKERS' INTERESTS IN MALAYSIA THROUGH REGISTERED ASSOCIATION UNDER SOCIETIES ACT 1966

Abstract

The gig economy model has had a significant impact on global economic growth. Through contracts for services, job seekers or gig workers will have opportunities to work in many sectors with limited advantages and benefits. This gig economy model has posed challenges to employment and industrial relations due to the gig workers' status as independent contractors. In the absence of trade unions to speak on their behalf, the service providers may neglect and manipulate their rights and interests. This paper aims to explore the alternative body to protect the interest of the gig workers and to be the main stakeholders in the gig economy. This article uses doctrinal legal research to analyse the best platform for gig workers to unionise. This article analysed legal documents, namely legal provisions from various legislations and case law using the content analysis approach, and thereafter proposed the best legal structure to protect gig workers' rights to unionise. This article found that the registered society structured under the Societies Act 1966 is the most suitable platform which can play an important role similar to trade unions in its functions to represent gig workers' interest in Malaysia.