Labour Movement supports Freelancing as a viable and sustainable career option

The Labour Movement estimates some 200,000 locals, who are independent workers, are not in an employer-employee relationship and expects this pool of workers to continue growing with the shift in employment norms. In line with the evolving needs of our working people and types of jobs available, the ‘unusual’ Labour Movement extends its arms beyond the traditional workers in employer-employee relationship to take care of freelancers in Singapore.

As individuals, freelancers often have to manage their back-end needs in the areas of accounting, marketing, legal, working space and others on their own. As individuals, it also means that there is a lack of collective voice to speak for the needs and concerns of freelancers.

Today, the Labour Movement organised its first “Fair for Freelancers” where freelancers, business solutions providers and service aggregators came together to network and explore business opportunities. The key objective is to provide a platform where freelancers can have access to resources and services that can help make their career, as a freelancer, a more viable and sustainable one.

“Fair for Freelancers” Brings Freelancers, Business Solution Providers and Service Aggregators Together

Held at Red Dot Design Museum, the fair featured 16 establishments which are able to provide business solutions for freelancers in the areas of accounting, legal, administration, payment, digital marketing, working space and others, as well as 10 service aggregators who provide platforms for freelancers to tap on for additional job and business opportunities. Freelancers also participated in a dialogue session and small group sharing sessions with the different stakeholders at the fair.

Key Benefit Providers at the Fair

“Through our interactions with freelancers, many told us that the learning curve was steep as they had to learn from scratch or learn through mistakes. This was especially true in the areas of support functions such as finance, legal, administration and others that they have to handle on their own. By organising this fair, we hope to bring together different parties that can support freelancing as a viable and sustainable career option. This platform will also allow attendees and speakers to share their challenges and learning experiences,” said Mr Ang Hin Kee, Director of NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit.

IoTalents is a digital platform where freelancers can bid for a wide range of jobs. IoTalents also helps freelancers secure agreements with the hirers on contract terms and conditions, scope of work, project milestones and guarantee of payment. IoTalents’ Co-founder, Mr Eric Sng said, "We are more than just a platform for freelancers to obtain more job opportunities. We value-add by ensuring that the freelancers who use our platform are protected and are able to secure fair contract agreement with their hirers; and that they do not have to worry about payment issues as we use escrow payment. We also support different billing options and handle the invoicing process for freelancers."

Kaiyang Business Services (Kaiyang) helps freelancers to access free-to-use cloud accounting software. As businesses of freelancers grow, or if freelancers require professional taxation or accounting advice and services, then a fee is charged. Its Partner, Mr Mok Ziyang, said, "As an accountant, I know that when one  has timely and relevant financial information, one can make better decisions for their businesses and achieve much greater productivity. Having started as a freelancer myself, I understand the challenges (and opportunities) of transiting from a stable nine-to-five job to a freelancing career. There are tools out there that freelancers can use to assist themselves. The freelancing journey may be tough at times, but it need not be lonely.”

One of Kaiyang‘s users, Ms Gracie Goh who is a videographer, shared, "As a freelancer, it is tough trying to cope with book-keeping and paperwork. Things got particularly challenging when we wanted to claim from the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) scheme. Kaiyang helped us to sort out our accounts, taught us how to use the cloud accounting software Xero effectively, and helped us with our PIC and taxation claims."

Going Forward: Freelancers Need to Recognise the Value of Being Part of a Group, Community or Association

At the same time, the Labour Movement also hopes that more freelancers recognise the advantages and value of being part of a formal or informal group, community or association. Freelancers as individuals who often face difficulties and challenges on their own. By being part of a group arrangement with a stronger voice, their needs and concerns would be able to be better heard and represented.

“We noticed that freelancers providing different services usually have different needs and concerns. We call upon freelancers with similar needs and concerns to unite and form a collective voice. Should they need help in forming an association, NTUC is able to provide guidance on how to form one. Beyond that, we will also be able to extend NTUC benefits and privileges to these groups,” added Mr Ang.

These NTUC benefits and privileges include access to seminars, training grant and insurance. Going forward, the Labour Movement will continue to work with the related stakeholders to understand their future needs and concerns, as well as gather feedback from the ground. Freelancers are not alone. The Labour Movement will be by the side of our freelancers to support and enhance their career pathway by providing them with relevant resources and networking opportunities which are vital to them.

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