Bolt Malaysia Releases Nationwide Survey On Drivers’ Views Amid Gig Worker Bill Debate

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As Parliament prepares to debate the Gig Workers Bill 2025, Bolt Malaysia today released the findings of a nationwide survey capturing the perspectives of e-hailing drivers, who play a vital role in Malaysia’s urban mobility and digital economy. The results show strong support for protections, alongside concerns with the Bill relating to income security, flexibility, and the affordability of social contributions.

Majority Of Drivers Rely On E-Hailing As Main Livelihood

The survey reveals that 70.9% of drivers depend on e-hailing as their primary source of income, with most using their earnings to support their families (58%). Yet the majority of drivers earn between RM300 (USD65) and RM1,600 (USD345) per week and face mounting expenses. A striking 67% find insurance costs unreasonable, while opinions on overall affordability are split evenly.

Drivers Aware But Cautious About Impact Of Bill

Awareness of the Gig Workers Bill is strong, with 74% of drivers familiar with it and nearly 40% following it closely. While 38% expect a positive impact, drivers remain most concerned about its effect on income (57%), flexibility (40%), and SOCSO contributions (40%).

On social protection, drivers are not opposed: 46% support mandatory SOCSO contributions, but a majority favour lower contribution rates of 1% or 0.5%, reflecting their modest and volatile earnings.

Ensuring fair and affordable regulation is not only vital for drivers, but also for the millions of Malaysians who rely on e-hailing for daily mobility, and for small businesses that depend on affordable delivery and transport services.

The insights are drawn from a nationwide survey of 508 e-hailing driver-partners conducted by Bolt Malaysia between 29 July and 19 August 2025, designed to capture driver perspectives on income, costs, work motivations, and the anticipated impact of the Bill.

Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, said:

“E-hailing drivers are clear. They want protections that are fair, affordable, and reflect the realities of their work. We commend the government for taking proactive steps to strengthen protections. At the same time, gig work is not one-size-fits-all – delivery riders, freelancers, and ride-hailing drivers each face very different realities. The Bill is a positive initiative, but the details will matter. As it stands, our driver-partners have highlighted concerns of the potential impact of the proposed legislation on their income and flexibility.”

Since launching in Malaysia, Bolt has grown its driver-partner base by over 540%, offering the most competitive commission rates among major platforms (18.5%), transparent earnings, and clear deactivation policies – measures that already align with the spirit of the Bill.

“As one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing ride-hailing platforms, we are committed to being a constructive voice in shaping policies that protect drivers while ensuring affordable mobility for Malaysians. We also welcome continued engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure the Bill delivers lasting benefits for Malaysia’s workforce and economy,” Afzan added.