IN a heartening move to support gig workers, the Sunway Carnival Mall has recently agreed to allocate designated parking spaces for food delivery riders.
The decision comes after a group of delivery riders from Permatang Pauh sought assistance from former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar to address their parking woes.
“Due to the nature of their job, they are met with numerous challenges, which include having to enter shopping malls up to even 10 times daily to collect food from the numerous outlets inside,” said Nurul Izzah.
“However, the biggest problem this poses is for them to park their motorcycles. Each time they enter a particular mall, they have to pay parking fees and this can be very burdensome on them.”
She added that to avoid paying parking fees within the malls, many riders resorted to parking along the roads outside, which led to traffic congestion and potential summonses from the police and municipal council.
Given that these riders are mostly from less affluent backgrounds, multiple summonses per day significantly impact their income.
“Some riders are sometimes issued with two to three summons a day and a bulk of their income goes for this,” she noted.
Recognising the urgency of this matter, Nurul Izzah arranged a meeting with the management of Sunway Carnival Mall to discuss the delivery riders’ predicament.
After an hour of negotiations, the mall authorities displayed a commendable understanding of the riders’ plight and agreed to provide special parking spaces exclusively for food delivery riders.
Nurul Izzah also emphasised the importance of such measures to make life easier for the hardworking riders.
The initiative highlights the significant impact that local businesses and organisations can have on the lives of gig workers who form a vital part of the nation’s backbone.
The decision by Sunway Carnival Mall serves as an encouraging example for other establishments to consider supporting delivery riders in their quest to carry out their duties efficiently.
Furthermore, with the provision of designated parking spaces, food delivery riders can now carry out their essential tasks without unnecessary stress and obstacles. The move not only benefits the riders but also contributes to a smoother flow of traffic within the mall’s vicinity, fostering a positive impact on the overall community.
“I wish to thank Sunway Carnival Mall for their kind understanding and hope others can also do their part to help make life easier for these delivery riders. I wish these riders every success!” Nurul Izzah further added. – July 20, 2023
