Gig workers are now legally recognised
For the first time, the law defines a "gig worker" as a person with a service agreement performing work for earnings; separate from "employee" and "independent contractor". You are not invisible anymore.
New · 2026
Gig Workers Act 2025.
After years of pressure from gig workers, unions, and civil society, Parliament finally passed the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872). 1.64 million Malaysians now have a free, official complaint route at eaduan-gig.mohr.gov.my, plus a dedicated Tribunal. Here is what changed, who is covered, and how to use it.
What changed
Six things every gig worker should know.
Written service agreement is now mandatory
Section 4 requires the contracting entity to give you a written agreement covering scope, earnings, working conditions, and termination. No more "verbal arrangement" loopholes.
Free complaint portal: eAduan-Gig
eaduan-gig.mohr.gov.my is run by the Department of Labour (JTKSM). Target resolution: 21 working days. Email support: gigkesuma@mohr.gov.my. This should be your first port of call.
A dedicated Gig Workers Tribunal
If conciliation fails, your case goes to the Tribunal. Awards are binding. Hearings are public. Awards are issued within 30 days of hearing.
Lawyers cannot represent at the Tribunal
Section 38 prohibits advocates and solicitors from representing parties at the Tribunal. You represent yourself, or you can be helped by a family member, a trade association official, or an authorised employee. The system is designed to be DIY.
Real teeth: RM50,000 fine + 2 years jail
Section 45: failure to comply with a Tribunal award is a criminal offence; up to RM50,000 fine, 2 years imprisonment, or both. Plus RM500 for each continuing day. The contracting entity has skin in the game.
Are you covered?
Five quick questions. The Act applies based on the substance of your work, not just the label on your contract.
0/5Coverage indicators
The 4-step path
By law, you must follow this sequence. You cannot jump straight to the Tribunal.
1
Internal grievance with the contracting entity
Section 17 · 30 daysSend a written complaint to the contracting entity (Grab, FoodPanda, Lalamove, an event organiser, etc.). They must initiate and resolve via their internal grievance mechanism within 30 days.
⚠ Skip this step if your contracting entity is an individual or sole proprietor; go directly to Step 2.
2
Conciliation via eAduan-Gig portal
Section 18-19 · ~21 working days targetFile at eaduan-gig.mohr.gov.my. The Conciliator (Industrial Relations Department) tries to settle. If settlement is reached, it gets recorded; if not, the Conciliator refers to the Tribunal.
3
Gig Workers Tribunal
Section 24+ · Award within 30 days of hearingPublic hearing. You represent yourself or get help from a family member, an authorised employee of the contracting entity, or an official of a registered gig workers' association. Lawyers are not allowed.
4
Award & enforcement
Section 42-45Award is binding. Refusal to comply is a criminal offence; RM50,000 fine, 2 years jail, plus RM500 per continuing day. There is a limited right of appeal to the High Court (Section 44).
Plain-language guide
A visual walkthrough of the eAduan-Gig portal, produced for ALIM's gig worker programme.
PDF9-page quick guide (PDF)
Covers the eAduan-Gig portal in 9 visual pages, step by step. Free download.
How to file at eAduan-Gig
Before you start, gather:
- Your IC / passport number
- Service agreement (or screenshots of T&Cs you accepted on the app)
- Earnings statements / payment screenshots showing the unpaid amount or wrong calculation
- Communication history (WhatsApp, in-app chat, email)
- Evidence of your internal grievance (if applicable) and the entity's response or non-response
- For deactivation cases: notice or message about the suspension
Step-by-step
- Go to eaduan-gig.mohr.gov.my and register an account using your IC and a working email.
- Select complaint category: unpaid earnings, deactivation, breach of agreement, or other.
- Identify the contracting entity by registered name (not just the app brand). Use SSM lookup if unsure.
- Describe the dispute factually. Include dates, amounts, what you delivered, and what was promised.
- Upload your evidence as PDFs or clear screenshots. Label each file (e.g., "01_service_agreement.pdf").
- State the remedy you want: the specific amount, reinstatement of your account, or compliance with a contract term.
- Submit. Save your reference number. JTKSM aims to resolve within 21 working days.
- If you don't hear back in 14 working days, email gigkesuma@mohr.gov.my with your reference number.
Sample Section 17 internal grievance letter
Send this BEFORE filing at eAduan-Gig (only required if your contracting entity is a company, not an individual or sole proprietor).
[Your full name] [Your IC number] [Your address] [Date] To: [Contracting entity registered name] Re: COMPLAINT OF DISPUTE UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE GIG WORKERS ACT 2025 Dear Sir or Madam, I am a gig worker who has entered into a service agreement with you dated [date]. Pursuant to Section 17 of the Gig Workers Act 2025, I hereby lodge a complaint of dispute and require you to initiate and resolve this dispute through your internal grievance mechanism within thirty (30) days from the date of this letter. The dispute concerns: 1. [Describe the issue clearly; e.g. unpaid earnings of RM[amount] for services rendered between [dates]] 2. [Reference the relevant clause of the service agreement] 3. [State what response you have received from the entity to date, if any] I request the following remedy: - [Specific amount or action required] Should you fail to resolve this dispute within thirty (30) days, I will refer the matter to the Conciliator under Section 18 via the eAduan-Gig portal at eaduan-gig.mohr.gov.my, and subsequently to the Gig Workers Tribunal if necessary. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter within seven (7) days. Yours faithfully, [Signature] [Your full name] [Phone] / [Email]
When the portal will not help
The new system has limits. In these cases, the Magistrate's Court, through the small claims procedure, remains your route.
When the Tribunal cannot hear you
- You don't satisfy the legal definition of "gig worker" (no service agreement, one-off informal arrangement)
- Your dispute pre-dates the Act (matters before April 2026)
- The matter is excluded from Tribunal jurisdiction (Section 33(2)): criminal offences, social security under Part VIII
- You need to claim damages outside the Act's scope (defamation by client, harassment, etc.)
When you need civil enforcement
If the Tribunal awards in your favour but the contracting entity refuses to pay, the criminal penalties (Section 45) punish them, but you may still need to enforce the award as a civil judgment debt to actually receive your money. That happens through the courts.
For Small Claims (Form 198) cases under RM5,000, the bilingual self-help tool MatSelamat can generate your court documents.
This page is published by ALIM.my as a free public-interest resource. It is not legal advice. Each case is different. If you need representation in matters outside the Tribunal's jurisdiction, consult a licensed advocate and solicitor.
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