Gig Economy: The Promise of Platform Work

The International Labor Organization defines gig work as a task-based job with higher presence in an online labor platforms. Gig workers are part-time workers or freelancers offering their jobs and services via platform economy. The recent COVID-19 financial crisis has highlighted the fact that gig workers do not receive benefits and perks associated with permanent jobs. This study explores the future direction of gig economy in Malaysia. A survey questionnaire was carried out to students and alumni from the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in June until September 2020 based on purposive sampling. The results suggest that most of the respondents have at one point, during the Movement Control Order period, involved in gig jobs such as dropship, courier services and food delivery. In general, the respondents perceived that gig works contribute to the economy. However, it is important for the gig workers to continue the process of upskilling and reskilling themselves to remain competitive. For the employers, benefits such as social security contributions and medical benefits should be provided to gig workers accordingly. Policy makers may utilize the information of how the traditional labor market is disrupted by the gig economy, raise awareness on the different expectations of both employers and employees, and devise appropriate strategies to support gig economy as an enabler of growth post-pandemic period.