Kuala Lumpur, 27 August 2025 – Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM) has welcomed the tabling of the Gig Workers Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening protection for gig, contract, part-time, and freelance workers in Malaysia.

In the context of the media industry, GERAMM emphasized the importance of this move, noting that many freelance journalists, independent reporters, photojournalists, and videographers currently operate without job security, social protection, or health insurance equivalent to full-time media employees.

GERAMM supports the government’s initiative to make contributions to SOCSO (Social Security Organisation) mandatory for gig workers.

For freelance and part-time journalists, this means they will no longer be left vulnerable to occupational risks — including assignments involving disasters, riots, or conflict zones — without any form of protection.

However, GERAMM is looking forward to the full passage of the bill and urges that certain media-specific provisions be considered in its implementation phase:

• Standard Contract Mechanism

GERAMM proposes the introduction of a minimum standard contract for media organisations engaging freelance journalists. This should include fair payment terms, intellectual property rights over published work, and a reasonable payment timeframe.

• Access to Training and Career Development

Freelance and part-time journalists should have equal access to professional training, safety workshops, and journalism ethics courses — just like their full-time counterparts.

• Field Insurance Scheme

Given that journalists are often assigned to high-risk areas, GERAMM calls for a special social protection scheme for field assignments. This should be claimable even by those not under full-time contracts.

A Call to the Government and Industry

GERAMM appreciates the government’s decision to include freelance journalists, photographers, and videographers under the category of non-platform gig workers — distinct from other gig professions such as food delivery riders or e-hailing drivers.

This move reflects a recognition of the unique safety risks and public responsibilities carried by journalism professionals.

GERAMM underscores that fair protection for media workers is not only crucial for their welfare, but also for the sustainability of independent, high-quality, and accountable journalism in Malaysia.

“Media freedom can only be realised when all journalists — whether full-time or freelance — are treated with dignity and protected fairly in their line of work.”