Malaysia is reshaping gig-economy compliance with a landmark regulatory change. Under the Gig Workers Bill 2025, all digital platforms operating in the gig economy must now automatically deduct PERKESO contributions directly from workers’ earnings. This fundamental shift moves compliance responsibility from individual workers to platform operators, creating a new standard for workforce protection and operational accountability across the industry.
What’s Changing: The New Compliance Landscape
| Platform Responsibilities | Worker Impact & Scale |
|---|---|
| All gig-economy platforms must integrate automatic PERKESO deduction systems into their payment infrastructure. Platforms are now legally required to submit accurate worker data and ensure contributions are collected seamlessly through their digital systems. This represents a fundamental shift in accountability; compliance is no longer optional or worker-managed, but a built-in platform function subject to regulatory oversight and enforcement. | Currently, close to 300,000 gig workers actively contribute under PERKESO’s self-employment Lindung Kendiri scheme. With auto-deduction becoming mandatory, this number is expected to grow significantly as platforms bring all workers into the formal protection system. The change removes administrative barriers and ensures consistent coverage across Malaysia’s rapidly expanding gig workforce. |
Why HR, Platforms & Businesses Should Care
Compliance becomes automated and enforceable
- Organisations using gig labour must ensure their systems meet new legal and reporting requirements.
Lower risk of non-payment or missing contributions
- Auto-deduction eliminates the administrative gaps that previously led to inconsistent compliance.
Improved worker protection supports a stronger employer reputation
- Transparent deductions and proper PERKESO coverage boost trust, retention, and platform credibility.
Operational upgrades are now necessary
- Onboarding flows, payroll processes, and data-integration pipelines must align with PERKESO’s updated standards.
The HR reality:
This is both a regulatory requirement and an opportunity to professionalise gig-workforce management.
How Kanry Supports Your Compliance & Workforce Transition
- Systems & Compliance Readiness Check
- We review platform workflows, data structures, and payment processes to ensure auto-deduction compliance from day one. Our assessment identifies operational risks and integration gaps before enforcement begins, giving you time to address issues proactively.
- We review platform workflows, data structures, and payment processes to ensure auto-deduction compliance from day one. Our assessment identifies operational risks and integration gaps before enforcement begins, giving you time to address issues proactively.
- Worker Communication & Education Materials
- We craft clear, accessible messaging to help gig workers understand deductions, benefits, and claims processes. Effective communication reduces confusion, minimizes resistance, and strengthens worker engagement during the transition period.
- We craft clear, accessible messaging to help gig workers understand deductions, benefits, and claims processes. Effective communication reduces confusion, minimizes resistance, and strengthens worker engagement during the transition period.
- Strategic HR & Platform Advisory
- We support platforms shifting toward more structured workforce models and guide HR teams through SOP alignment, onboarding redesign, and documentation updates. Our strategic advisory ensures compliance becomes an operational advantage, not just a checkbox.
We help you navigate regulatory change while building stronger, more sustainable platform operations.
Kanry’s role: Making compliance simpler, communication clearer, and gig-workforce management more robust.
Official Sources & Reference Links
New Straits Times (NST)
“Gig economy platforms must automatically deduct PERKESO contributions under new Bill.”
The Star: Policy Coverage
“Gig economy platforms must auto deduct PERKESO dues.”
The Star: Labour Statistics
“Almost 300,000 gig workers now actively contributing to PERKESO’s Lindung Kendiri scheme.”
