After being left out of the original 2020 Economic Stimulus Package, e-hailing drivers can breathe a sigh of relief. As part of the new MYR250 billion Economic Stimulus Package announced by prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday, e-hailing drivers stand to receive a one-off MYR500 cash relief.
A total of 120,000 e-hailing drivers stand to benefit from the cash payout that’s valued at MYR60 million. The previous economic stimulus package unveiled by Tun Mahathir in February covered on taxi drivers who will receive a one-off cash payout of MYR600, starting 1 April 2020.
Sean Goh, country head of Grab Malaysia lauded the move and said, “During these crucial times, every effort and consideration taken to address their concern will help ease the burden for all Malaysians.”
E-hailing drivers are hard hit during the Movement Control Order, where people’s restricted movements translate to a dearth of customers. Full-time e-hailing drivers suffer the most with a severe drop in daily income.
Fortunately, e-hailing operators such as Grab has introduced several relief initiatives to protect the livelihood of its driver and delivery partners. Grab has established a “Partner Protection Fund” of up to MYR1,000 per driver or delivery partner who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is in self-quarantine.
That aside, Grab’s “Partner Relief Fund” of up to MYR300 worth of vouchers per driver/delivery-partner to help with daily household expenses.
Grab has also converted some of its driver-partners to car-based delivery-partners to improve their income opportunities. The company also subsidises face masks for its driver-partners.
