Government OKs recommendations to enhance platform workers’ protection

Over 88,000 platform workers in Singapore are set to get a bigger voice.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on July 12 accepted the eight recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup (TWG) on Representation for Platform Workers to enhance the protection of platform workers. This decision was announced during a dialogue with platform workers and platform operators.

Traditional work structures have struggled to meet the evolving needs of Singapore’s workforce, particularly with the rise in self-employment and gig platform work. Yeo Wan Ling, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Advisor for the National Taxi Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association, and National Delivery Champions Association, highlighted the rapid growth of platform work and the necessity for improved protections.

"We have noticed that there has been a big uptick of our workers wanting to take on self-employment or as gig platform workers," said Yeo. "Because of the strong numbers of workers coming in, I think it's important that we look at better protections for all of them."

The NTUC has been closely monitoring the challenges faced by platform workers and advocating for comprehensive protections. Yeo emphasised the importance of providing workplace and injury insurance, ensuring retirement and housing adequacy, and legislating representation for these workers. 

"It is important that we avail more protection, whether or not it is in the form of workplace insurance and injury type of insurance, whether or not it's about retirement adequacy, housing adequacy, or better representation in terms of legislated representation for our workers in this space," she stated.

The recommendations by the TWG, which Yeo was a part of, cover a wide range of areas, including the process for a platform worker representative body to obtain a mandate for representation, the scope of negotiations and formalising agreements, and resolving disagreements between representative bodies and platform operators.

"I've always been very proud of the fact that the labour movement that we have in Singapore is a progressive one," said Yeo. "We talked about how there are a lot more people who try to become platform workers or self-employed. And because of this, it is important for us to look at a couple of things."

Additionally, Yeo highlighted the need for better representation in trade unions. Current laws do not cover self-employed individuals, which poses a challenge in negotiations with platforms. "It is important that we look at legislation to help the trade unions be able to represent our platform workers in a legislated way," Yeo said.

She pointed out that platform workers are a growing segment of the workforce and play an essential role in the economy. Ensuring their protection and collective voice is vital for their livelihoods and safety. "They take on a very important part of our economy, and because of this, it is important that we make sure that the workers are well protected," Yeo stated. "I believe, right with a collective voice, our workers' livelihoods as well as life and safety, will be better taken care of."