A new study by Monash University Malaysia has found that 35% of delivery riders in Malaysia struggle to make monthly payments, compared with 28% of white‑collar workers, highlighting ongoing financial vulnerability in the gig workforce.

In contrast, white‑collar employees reported lower psychological and social wellbeing, underscoring growing workplace pressures in structured employment environments.

The findings come from the Employee Wellbeing Index (EWI) 2026, conducted by the Wellmetric Lab under the (Future) Southeast Asian Centre for Workplace Wellbeing at Monash University Malaysia.

“The Employee Wellbeing Index (EWI) 2026 provides a sector‑focused, evidence‑based assessment of physical, psychological, social and financial wellbeing among Malaysia’s delivery riders and white‑collar workers,” — Professor Jane Terpstra‑Tong, Director of the (Future) Southeast Asian Centre for Workplace Wellbeing at Monash University Malaysia

The study surveyed 451 workers across delivery riders and white‑collar employees, measuring wellbeing across physical, psychological, social, financial and overall domains.

Financial vulnerability emerged clearly from the survey results. Thirty‑five per cent of delivery riders reported difficulty making monthly payments, while 28% of white‑collar employees reported the same.

Among delivery riders, perceptions of fairness in platform systems were positively associated with higher wellbeing, emphasising the importance of transparent and equitable gig work structures.

Despite greater financial strain, delivery riders reported higher overall wellbeing than their white‑collar counterparts, including stronger psychological and social wellbeing. White‑collar workers, however, reported better physical wellbeing but lower psychological and social wellbeing, suggesting different wellbeing profiles across sectors.

Work arrangements were identified as a key pressure point for office‑based employees. The study found that 80.5% of white‑collar respondents were working fully on‑site, yet only 27% said they preferred this arrangement.

Most white‑collar respondents indicated a preference for hybrid work, with three days in the office and two days working from home cited as the most popular option. The mismatch between current working arrangements and employee preferences may be contributing to lower psychological and social wellbeing among white‑collar workers.

Across both groups, higher levels of physical, psychological, social and financial wellbeing were consistently associated with higher work engagement and job satisfaction, reinforcing the link between employee wellbeing and organisational performance.

Professor Jane Terpstra‑Tong, Director of the (Future) Southeast Asian Centre for Workplace Wellbeing at Monash University Malaysia, said the findings reflect a broader shift in how work is experienced across sectors.

“The Employee Wellbeing Index (EWI) 2026 provides a sector‑focused, evidence‑based assessment of physical, psychological, social and financial wellbeing among Malaysia’s delivery riders and white‑collar workers,” she told PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) through the information shared with us.

The findings come at a critical time following the introduction of Malaysia’s Gig Workers Act 2025. The study’s association between perceptions of fairness in platform systems and higher wellbeing among delivery riders underscores the importance of transparent and equitable gig work structures.

The Employee Wellbeing Index is designed to be conducted regularly to track trends over time. Future studies will expand across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines, to build a regional understanding of employee wellbeing.