Tribunal rules on 3 disputes involving e-hailing drivers

The Gig Workers Tribunal has ruled on three disputes involving e-hailing drivers and an e-hailing platform operator, including upholding the deactivation of a driver’s account for misconduct.

The human resources ministry said the three cases involved financial claims, the handling of digital platform systems, and the deactivation of a driver’s account by GrabCar Sdn Bhd.

The ministry said the tribunal, presided over by its deputy president, Suzarika Sahak, partially upheld an e-hailing driver’s financial claim against GrabCar in the first case, involving earnings from Saver bookings and the Cashback and Advance Booking incentive.

The driver was awarded RM2,000 in compensation.

In the second case, involving seven non-financial claims against GrabCar, the tribunal found three breaches of the Gig Workers Act 2025 relating to temporary booking pauses, booking cancellation quotas, and the Auto Accept system.

In both cases, the tribunal recommended improvements under Subsection 42(3) of Act 872, including ensuring drivers are informed of the type of service and earnings before accepting a booking, and given a reasonable and safe window to cancel.

In the third case, the tribunal upheld GrabCar’s decision to permanently deactivate a driver’s account after finding evidence of three incidents of misconduct towards passengers, involving inappropriate conversations, intimidating or threatening behaviour, and unwarranted personal questions.

“Although the deactivation of an account may affect a driver’s livelihood, the tribunal held that passenger safety and wellbeing must not be compromised,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said the decisions reflected the tribunal’s balanced approach to upholding gig workers’ rights, ensuring passenger safety, and protecting the interests of e-hailing platform operators.