Socso Plans Mandatory Contributions for Malaysia Gig Economy Workers

Gig work continues to transform the labor market, with new research highlighting its unique organizational behavior challenges such as algorithmic management and precariousness, which prompt rethinking traditional workplace theories. In Malaysia, the Social Security Organisation plans to introduce mandatory contributions for gig economy workers, including food delivery and e-hailing drivers, aiming to extend social protection to this growing informal workforce despite challenges in accommodating diverse income patterns. Meanwhile, individual gig workers like British-Chinese graduate Mark Lin have turned to gig work as a vital means to survive economic downturns, illustrating the sector's role in providing flexible income opportunities. Technological advancements are also shaping the future of gig work, with neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces potentially creating a cognitive gig economy where brainpower becomes a tradable resource, driven by significant venture capital investment. These developments underscore the increasing centrality of gig work across economic, social, and technological domains, highlighting the need for innovative policies and business models that address its distinctive features and risks.