Singapore to enhance gig worker protections
SINGAPORE – The National Trades Union Congress is exploring the possibility of forming groups similar to workers’ unions to represent the interests of delivery and ride-hailing riders and cab drivers should the Platform Workers Bill pass into law.
The plan to establish union-like groups will most likely extend the same labour protections enjoyed by tenured workers to those working in the informal sector and engaged by operators such as Grab and foodpanda.
Considering existing labour laws, platform or gig workers fall outside the scope of traditional unions and are barred from forming unions since they are not classified as employees.
However, the NTUC last week revealed plans to create formal groups that would advocate for platform workers, especially when labour disputes arise.
Only three established bodies currently represent the interests of Singapore’s gig workers, namely the National Private Hire Vehicles Association, National Delivery Champions Association and National Taxi Association. Being industry associations and not labour unions, however, they cannot formally demand redress of grievance from platform operators.
Any dialogue advocating for the welfare of informal workers will depend entirely on the operators’ willingness to come to the negotiating table.
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Stronger protections for gig workers
The Platform Workers Bill, which was tabled in Parliament in early August, is set to create a specific category for gig workers. According to the Ministry of Manpower, the provisions are designed to strengthen gig workers’ protections in three areas:
1. Adequate financial protection in case of work injury
2. Improved housing and retirement adequacy
3. Enhanced representation
The bill will update measures related to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), requiring platform operators to pay contributions on behalf of gig workers to enable them to save for retirement or seek housing benefits. It will also include amendments to the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 and the Work Injury Compensation Act 2019.
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“The Ministry of Manpower has been working closely with Platform Operators, Platform Workers, insurers and the Labour Movement to prepare for the implementation of the protections,” the MoM said. “We plan to implement the requirements for Platform Operators to provide CPF and work injury compensation to Platform Workers, and to enable enhanced representation for Platform Workers from 1 January 2025.”
The NTUC plans to create the union-like groups and transfer the members of current industry associations under them. It will seek recognition from platform operators or secure a majority vote from worker-members to establish the legitimacy of the groups.
Leaders from the three industry associations issued a joint statement expressing confidence over the possible enactment of the Platform Workers Bill. “Once the new platform workers law is in effect … we will be in a stronger position to speak up and negotiate better benefits and outcomes,” they said.