The government is thinking of setting up a regulatory body to oversee p-hailing, which is motorcycle delivery services for parcels and food items. Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said the body would help protect the welfare of riders, noting that there is currently no specific body that oversees the sector.
“I feel we need a policy just like e-hailing, which at one time was also not regulated. As such, the ministry is looking into having discussions on how we can protect the p-hailing (riders),” Wee said, according to Bernama.
Commenting on the complaints of p-hailing riders who believe that their plight and welfare haven’t received enough attention, he said that the government understands these riders work hard to deliver items, estimating their number at about 100,000. Wee noted that since the Movement Control Order started last year, many have turned to p-hailing work as consumers are preferring delivery orders over dining out.
“And that is why the government recently wanted to make it compulsory for riders to contribute to the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO). If they can pay a contribution of RM13.10 a month, then they will have basic protection,” he said.
However, the minister didn’t provide any specific timeline regarding this p-hailing policy though which is likely still in the early stages at the moment. On a related note, he pointed out that delivery riders should look out for their own safety and the safety of others as there were many complaints of riders speeding and acting recklessly on the road.
(Source: Bernama.)
