Club president Datuk Ahirudin Attan says the National Press Club has always been a home for media practitioners, including freelancers and stringers, offering support and counsel in times of need.
KUALA LUMPUR — The National Press Club (NPC) Malaysia has expressed readiness to represent freelance journalists in dispute mediations under the forthcoming Gig Workers Bill 2025, reaffirming its role as a support network for media professionals.
NPC president Datuk Ahirudin Attan said the club’s constitution already allows for ordinary membership from a wide range of media workers — including editorial staff, broadcasters, photographers, and freelance journalists who derive their main income from the media industry.
“The club has always been a home to all media practitioners, including freelance journalists and stringers, and to any journalist in need of counsel,” he said as quoted by Twentytwo13.
“We are glad to extend a hand and lend an ear to our friends in the fraternity who require assistance.”
Ahirudin’s remarks came after Human Resources Minister Steven Sim clarified that associations or unions could represent gig workers — including freelance journalists — in the Tripartite Consultative Council established under the new law, provided such organisations include gig workers of the same profession among their members.
Sim made the remarks during a nationwide briefing tour to raise awareness about the Bill, which was recently passed by the Senate. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching also attended the session.
Ahirudin said the legislation, once gazetted, would mark a turning point for freelance journalists and photographers, giving them a formal avenue for dispute resolution.
“Passion is what drives journalists, but the industry faces multi-faceted challenges — especially for freelancers who struggle to make ends meet,” he said. “The NPC is here for them, as we always have been.”
The Gig Workers Bill provides a structured mechanism for resolving disputes between gig workers and contracting entities. Under the law, a worker may first lodge a written complaint directly to the contracting entity, which must resolve it internally within 30 days.
If unresolved, the matter can be brought to conciliation before the Director-General of Industrial Relations or a designated officer. Failing that, it may be referred to the Tribunal, whose decisions can be appealed at the High Court. – scoop.com
