KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in the midst of amending the Employment Act 1955 so e-hailing drivers will be recognised as workers, said Datuk Awang Hashim.

       The Deputy Human Resources Minister said among the proposed amendments was to change the definition of employers and employees.

       "The proposed amendment is a clear effort by the government to clarify the employee-employer relations in the gig economy," he told Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (BN-Machang) during Question Time.

       Ahmad Jazlan had asked the government to reveal steps that the government will take to address the problem of lack of social security for e-hailing riders.

       Awang said that these employees were not covered under labour laws such as the Employment Act 1955.

       He also said that the ministry was holding several engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders such as service providers and industry players.

       Awang also said they would look if there was a need to enact a specific law to protect the interests and welfare of those in the gig economy.

       "The government will study additional forms of protection needed by workers in the gig economy and p-hailing to ensure that they are given the necessary protection," he added.

       P-hailing refers to services involving the delivery of food, drinks and parcels on motorcycles.

       It is estimated that there are some 100,000 p-hailing riders in Malaysia.

       A survey conducted by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) found that 70% of p-hailing riders faced dangers, especially during peak hours.