Legal Landscapes for Atypical Employees in Malaysia: Intern and Gig Worker Edition

Abstract

ABSTRAK

Sifat pekerjaan yang terus berkembang menimbulkan persoalan penting mengenai perlindungan pekerja dalam situasi di mana model majikan-pekerja tradisional tidak lagi terpakai. Di Malaysia, peningkatan pekerjaan tidak standard seperti latihan industri dan pekerjaan gig mencerminkan trend global, namun undang-undang buruh negara belum bergerak seiring dengan perubahan ini. Pelatih industri sering ditempatkan dalam jawatan tanpa bayaran atau dibayar rendah walaupun beban kerja yang tinggi, manakala pekerja gig pula berhadapan dengan ketidakstabilan kerja, pendapatan yang tidak mencukupi serta akses terhad kepada perlindungan sosial. Kajian ini menilai kelemahan undang-undang buruh Malaysia dalam melindungi pekerja tidak standard dengan menggunakan pendekatan analisis undang-undang normatif. Kajian ini juga membandingkan amalan Malaysia dengan pendekatan antarabangsa untuk mencadangkan langkah dasar yang lebih inklusif. Dapatan utama menunjukkan tiga isu utama: (1) perlindungan dan keistimewaan pekerja atipikal tidak konsisten di bawah undang-undang sedia ada; (2) penguatkuasaan piawaian latihan industri lemah dan tidak seragam; dan (3) peraturan berkaitan ekonomi gig masih terpecah-pecah dan tidak mencukupi dari sudut keselamatan sosial. Kajian ini mencadangkan beberapa pembaharuan penting termasuk pemberian elaun latihan industri secara mandatori, takrifan perundangan yang jelas mengenai status pekerja, serta penggubalan undang-undang khusus untuk sektor ekonomi gig. Pembentukan semula kerangka perundangan yang lebih adil dan inklusif adalah penting bagi memastikan sistem pekerjaan yang berdaya tahan dan saksama di Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Pekerja atipikal, Latihan industri, Pekerja gig, Perlindungan undang-undang, Buruh paksa.

ABSTRACT

The evolving nature of employment raises critical questions regarding worker protections in contexts where the traditional employer-employee model no longer applies. In Malaysia, the rise of non-standard employment including internships and gig workers follow a global trend, yet Malaysia's labor laws have not kept pace with these shifts. Many interns are placed in unpaid or low-paying positions with demanding workloads, raising questions about whether such practices align with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards on fair labor conditions. Likewise, gig workers frequently encounter job instability, insufficient wages, and limited access to essential benefits, operating within a regulatory framework that offers little formal protection. This paper critically examines the insufficiency of Malaysia’s current labour laws in addressing the vulnerabilities faced by these non-standard workers. Employing a normative legal analysis, the study investigates the structural gaps in protections under the Employment Act 1955 and related frameworks. Comparative insights are drawn from international best practices to identify more inclusive policy options. Key findings reveal three urgent concerns: (1) existing laws do not provide consistent protections or entitlements for atypical workers; (2) enforcement of labour standards for internships remains weak and inconsistent; and (3) gig economy regulations are fragmented and fail to ensure adequate social security. The paper proposes reforms including mandatory internship allowances, clearer statutory definitions of worker status, and tailored gig economy legislation to enhance fairness and equity. A reimagined legal framework that safeguards atypical workers is essential to achieving a resilient and just employment system in Malaysia.

Keywords: Atypical employees, Internships, Gig workers, Legal protections, Forced labour.