KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 17): P-hailing workers in Malaysia reported an increase in income after joining the food and goods delivery activities and they generally earned below RM2,500, according to a survey by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

The study among 6,657 p-hailing workers showed that 26.78% of these p-hailing workers — self-employed people who deliver food and parcels — earned between RM1,501 to RM2,499, while 23.39% earned RM1,500 and below, and 11.67% earned from RM2,500 to RM3,170, said DOSM. 

The survey, which was conducted from March 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2022, also found that 97.71% of p-hailing workers consisted of individuals aged 15 to 30 years, while 2.29% were aged above 60.

“Employment and income information also found that 73.98% of p-hailing workers make this job their main source of income. A total of 70.35% (of these workers) make p-hailing their main job, while 29.65% of (the) individuals do not make p-hailing their main job,” DOSM said in a statement on Friday (Feb 17). 

“Of the 29.65%, 14.23% are private workers, 7.12% are government workers, 5.6% are self-employed, 1.46% are students and 1.25 % are employees of statutory bodies,” it added. 

In terms of social protection, DOSM said 72.25% of respondents have contributed to the Social Security Organisation (Socso), while 27.75% have not made any contribution to Socso. Only 22.05% of p-hailing workers contribute to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), while 77.95% do not make any contributions to the EPF.

“There are 36.61% of p-hailing workers who have their own savings or investments, while 63.39% do not have any savings. It was found that 45.07% of p-hailing workers have their own insurance policies, while 54.93% is the opposite,” it said.  

The five main reasons p-hailing workers are said to join goods, food and beverage delivery services are to cover daily expenses, help families, have flexible working hours, have savings and not be bound by employment rules or contracts, DOSM added. 

DOSM said that most of these p-hailing workers’ education levels are at Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Vokasional (SPMV) or equivalent (39.54%), followed by a diploma or equivalent (23.24%), and a degree (11.79%).

“Findings also showed that there are 0.21% of p-hailing workers who do not go to school and 0.99% who do not have any academic qualifications,” the agency said. 

Most p-hailing workers worked between 49 hours and 84 hours in a week (30.79%), followed by 30 hours and 48 hours a week (25.84%) and less than 30 hours ( 25.42%), DOSM said. 

It said a total of 67.09% of p-hailing workers use only one delivery services platform, 21.66% use two platforms, while 6.38% use three platforms, and 6.38% use more than four platforms.

DOSM undertook the study to provide a basic profile of gig workers, which would enable issues to be identified and appropriate recommendations proposed.

“The results of this study have also suggested five strategic focuses that cover as many as 19 initiatives and 19 specific action plans for individuals who will join p-hailing, and (also for) existing p-hailing employees, service provider companies and related ministries, departments and agencies,” DOSM said. 

The list of strategies and initiatives include ensuring that the welfare of p-hailing workers is protected under labour laws or equivalents, and providing appropriate complaint and communication channels to resolve disputes between service provider companies and p-hailing workers.