Risks Of Working In The Gig Economy As A Rider
Recently, there have been discussions about a strike and boycott of Grab among delivery personnel who are dissatisfied with the restructuring of the wage payment system at Grab. Several approaches can be taken in this situation, such as boycotting for a day, striking for two days, a week, or even a year. These decisions are the individual’s right. However, we need to understand that not all delivery personnel will join the strike. Some may choose not to participate in the strike because they have personal reasons that influence their decisions. They might think, “If I don’t work, how will I feed my family?” We also need to realize that those who do not join the strike are also aware of it and its implications. Those who continue to work may find it easier to get jobs as the competition becomes less.
During the pandemic period, the wages of delivery personnel were high due to the increased demand for delivery services. The high number of orders compared to the number of delivery personnel caused wages to increase. At that time, many people switched to the gig economy as delivery personnel. This includes those who previously worked in the formal sector. They might have had a fixed salary previously, but they chose to become gig delivery personnel because they could earn a higher monthly income, for example, if their previous salary was RM2000, they could earn RM3000 or more as gig delivery personnel. However, the situation is now different because demand has decreased after the pandemic, but the number of delivery personnel remains high. Therefore, the restructuring of the wage payment system was carried out, and this caused wage rates to decline.
For those who tried to find work in other sectors but failed, and then decided to become gig delivery personnel, we can understand their choices. However, the mistake is when those who were already working in the formal sector chose to quit and become gig delivery personnel. They expect wages in the gig economy to always be high. This is a wrong mindset. When you choose to become gig delivery personnel, you need to understand that your salary will always fluctuate. It can go up and down. You might be happy when your salary is high, but when your salary falls, you might be upset or dissatisfied. So, if you can’t accept a salary decrease, it’s better not to enter the gig economy. In the formal sector, you will get a fixed salary every month, even though you may not get a bonus or salary increase. But at least your salary will not fall. So, if you can’t accept the risk of a salary decrease, it’s better not to enter the gig economy.
In the context of the current market structure, one thing that can be seen is that to increase wages in the gig economy, the number of delivery personnel needs to be reduced. But the problem is that there are too many people who actually shouldn’t be delivery personnel. For example, diploma and degree holders who become delivery personnel. Why do they need to be delivery personnel? The main problem in this economy is the restructuring of wages and the job market. If we don’t solve this problem, there will continue to be diploma and degree holders entering the gig economy as delivery personnel, and this will put pressure on wages in the gig sector. Therefore, two things need to be well planned, namely progressive wages and initiatives to encourage the modern agricultural sector. If both of these can be implemented well, then there will be no problem with too many people becoming delivery personnel.
In conclusion, the issue of restructuring wages and the job market in the gig economy is an important matter that needs to be resolved. Meanwhile, individuals need to understand the risks involved in becoming gig delivery personnel and choose jobs that suit their needs and abilities.
