Singapore’s Platform Workers to Get Better Job Protection by Late 2024

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced in a press release last week that the government is accepting all 12 recommendations listed in the report by the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers, which means platform workers will soon get standardised insurance protection if they get hurt during working hours and other benefits.

“The term ‘platform workers’ refers to delivery workers, private-hire car drivers, and taxi drivers who use online platforms to match them with demand for their delivery and point-to-point transport services, but who are not employees of the companies operating these platforms,” the report reads.

The key recommendations aim to address the most pressing protections that Singapore’s platform workers currently lack, such as ensuring adequate financial protection in case of work injury (including compensation under the Work Injury Compensation Act), improving housing and retirement adequacy (such as aligning Central Provident Fund contributions), and enhancing representation.

“The Government will continue to work with Platform Workers and Platform Companies to implement the recommendations in a progressive manner from the later part of 2024 at the earliest,” the MOM said.