(Kuala Lumpur, 1st) The Malaysian Film Professional Workers Association (PROFIMA) described the passing of the 2025 Gig Worker Bill in the lower house of Parliament as a major victory for local arts and creative industry workers.
The association’s president, Khairil Shaleh, said the bill is expected to protect nearly 70,000 film and creative industry practitioners.
"If musicians, singers, writers, dancers, stage actors, and other art workers are included, the total number can reach 200,000, and this figure will continue to increase with the rise of new forms of professions."
He stated in a press release that the bill not only formally recognizes art practitioners as part of the gig economy, but also provides them with more comprehensive welfare protection, handles disputes over remuneration and benefits, and brings greater security for the future of creative workers.
In addition, he also said that the association opposes any act seeking personal gain in the process of implementing the bill, and stressed that the bill is a shared responsibility to provide opportunities, livelihood protection, and a more comprehensive ecosystem, especially for art workers.
"If emerging e-hailing and delivery industries have secured protection, there is all the more reason for the historically rich art and creative sectors to be protected as well, as most of its practitioners are highly skilled freelancers."
The association’s president, Khairil Shaleh, said the bill is expected to protect nearly 70,000 film and creative industry practitioners.
"If musicians, singers, writers, dancers, stage actors, and other art workers are included, the total number can reach 200,000, and this figure will continue to increase with the rise of new forms of professions."
He stated in a press release that the bill not only formally recognizes art practitioners as part of the gig economy, but also provides them with more comprehensive welfare protection, handles disputes over remuneration and benefits, and brings greater security for the future of creative workers.
In addition, he also said that the association opposes any act seeking personal gain in the process of implementing the bill, and stressed that the bill is a shared responsibility to provide opportunities, livelihood protection, and a more comprehensive ecosystem, especially for art workers.
"If emerging e-hailing and delivery industries have secured protection, there is all the more reason for the historically rich art and creative sectors to be protected as well, as most of its practitioners are highly skilled freelancers."