foodpanda, EPF roll out retirement programme for riders in Sarawak

KUCHING (Feb 9): foodpanda Malaysia, under its panda hearts delivery partners welfare initiative, has partnered with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to introduce the “From Ride to Retire” programme in Sarawak.

The initiative aims to provide structured retirement and financial education to 400 top-performing foodpanda delivery partners across multiple locations in the state.

foodpanda Malaysia operations director Shubham Saran said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to supporting delivery partners beyond income opportunities by building their financial confidence.

“Our delivery partners are integral to our ecosystem, and caring for them means looking beyond the present.

“From Ride to Retire is about making long-term financial preparedness achievable and relevant to their daily realities.

“We hope these 400 delivery partners will be our advocates and inspire their peers to also contribute voluntarily and enhance their retirement security,” he said at the launching ceremony held here yesterday.

The programme builds on foodpanda’s ongoing collaboration with the EPF Sarawak Region and marks the first time delivery partners in the state are given direct access to EPF savings and wealth management advisory.

Led by EPF regional officers, training sessions will be held in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri from Feb 9 to 13.

The sessions will cover practical topics including voluntary EPF contributions for gig workers, the long-term benefits of retirement savings and ways to develop sustainable saving habits.

foodpanda said the initiative is the first dedicated programme of its kind in the state.

EPF Sarawak regional director Aminuddin Abdul Aziz said informal workers are an important segment as EPF continues efforts to widen access to retirement savings.

“We encourage delivery partners to start saving for retirement in a structured manner, which can be done seamlessly through i-Saraan.

“The From Ride to Retire programme allows our regional officers to meet riders in person across Sarawak, provide practical guidance on retirement planning and empower them to make informed financial decisions.

“Even small savings can make a difference, especially when started early and contributed consistently,” he said.

Beyond financial education, the programme also serves as a platform for engagement between foodpanda and its delivery partners through networking, briefings and appreciation activities, particularly in areas with limited physical touchpoints.

Following the Sarawak rollout, foodpanda said it plans to expand the programme to Sabah and more cities across East Malaysia in the near future.