TROOPERS Chief Executive and Co-founder Joshua Tan Soo Tjan was recently featured in The Edge Malaysia, where he discussed how TROOPERKS, the company's worker welfare programme, addresses gaps he says the Gig Workers Act 2025 leaves open.

Beyond Statutory Compliance

According to the report, the Act mandates social security coverage under SPS Lindung and stricter standards on dispute resolution and payment transparency. Joshua told The Edge that statutory compliance on its own isn't enough to stabilise gig work, which is what prompted TROOPERKS.

The article outlines the programme's cancellation compensation scheme: if a hiring manager cancels a confirmed shift within 24 hours of the start time, the worker is paid half their expected earnings immediately, with no dispute process needed. This goes beyond what the Act currently requires.

The report also notes that workers who decline unsafe job conditions at the last minute are paid in full, while the client is investigated by TROOPERS.

To fund these benefits, TROOPERS introduced a 2% platform fee from 1 May 2026, structured as a pre-income charge on the base shift rate only. This means the fee doesn't apply to overtime, tips or performance incentives.

Healthcare Access

The Edge also covered TROOPERKS' private accident insurance through VSure Tech and 24/7 tele-healthcare via HeyDoc Health Sdn Bhd, including a RM50 monthly medicine subsidy. Joshua was quoted as saying this removes a barrier for workers who can't afford time off for a clinic visit.

Policy Involvement

The report notes Joshua's recent appointment to the National Gig Advisory Council (MPGig), and his stated intention to push for phased implementation and tiered compliance frameworks so smaller platforms aren't priced out.

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Read the full feature on The Edge Malaysia: theedgemalaysia.com/node/802872

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