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Singapore's first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NTUC-affiliated Associations and Platform Operator aims to formalise relationship for representation of platform workers
NTUC-affiliated associations – National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Delivery Champions Associations (NDCA) (collectively called Associations) – and Grab have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to better support platform workers in Singapore . Grab is the first platform operator in Singapore to commit to enhancing skills development and representation of platform workers through its MOU with NTUC-affiliated associations.
Collective Effort Towards a Sustainable Platform Economy
This MOU aligns with the Tripartite Workgroup’s recommendations released last month to enhance the representation of platform workers, where NTUC, NPHVA, NDCA, and member companies including Grab helped shape a feasible model for platform work in Singapore.
Under this MOU, the parties will collaborate and explore opportunities to:
a) provide training programmes to help platform workers further develop skills for the platform economy, and raise their level of productivity for improved earning opportunities
b) facilitate structured dialogues to improve understanding of platform work
c) enhance representation of platform workers where Grab will work towards according the Associations direct recognition as the representative body of its platform workers, under the new Legislation that is expected to come into effect by end-2024
About the MOU Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony, which took place at a National Day Observance Day event held at Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability, was witnessed by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, Grab Chief Operating Officer Alex Hungate, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon, NDCA President Goh Yong Wei and NPHVA General Secretary Joseph Goh. The signatories on the MOU were NPHVA Executive Secretary Raven Lee, NDCA Executive Secretary Jean See and Grab Singapore Managing Director Yee Wee Tang. The event was attended by Grab driver-partners and delivery-partners, management representatives from Grab and leaders from both associations and NTUC. Both NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and Grab Singapore Managing Director Yee Wee Tang also delivered speeches at the event.
Quotes by Witnesses of MOU
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “Gig economy workforce is growing worldwide, including Singapore. They are not like traditional employees whereby NTUC and unions can represent them in a Collective Agreement with employers.” He added, “NTUC and our associations have been engaging our platform workers on the ground to understand their needs and concerns; and been working closely with platform operators as well as Government agencies to work out mutually beneficial arrangements in areas such as work conditions, working terms and conditions, income and savings, as well as protection against injury or medical conditions. The signing of MOU with Grab today marks a significant step forward, towards cementing a positive working relationship between our Associations and Grab, to achieve win-win outcomes for both platform workers and Grab.”
Grab Singapore Managing Director, Yee Wee Tang, who is also a member of the Tripartite Workgroup for Platform Workers said, “Platform workers are critical enablers of our economy. This MOU is a reflection of Grab and the Associations’ shared commitment to secure the future of platform work, and complements Grab's ongoing efforts to improve the livelihoods of our driver- and delivery-partners. We appreciate the Government for their continued collaboration, their openness to take onboard industry viewpoints, and the opportunity to be part of the Tripartite Workgroup to shape a feasible model for platform work in Singapore.”
National Delivery Champions Association President Goh Yong Wei said, “Since the formation of the National Delivery Champions Association in 2020, NDCA has been working hard to address our members' concerns in the areas of better welfare and work prospects. We are happy that the MOU today demonstrates Grab’s continued sincerity in wanting to look after its platform workers. We hope that this partnership with Grab is the start of many other partnerships with Singapore’s platform operators so that we can work together to help ensure a fair and sustainable working environment for all platform workers in Singapore.”
National Private Hire Vehicles Association General Secretary Joseph Goh Say Sing said, “The National Private Hire Vehicles Association has been engaging private hire drivers on the ground and advocating for their concerns and interests since 2016. As fellow private hire drivers, we understand the unique challenges private hire drivers face with platform work, hence we are very glad that Grab has joined hands with us to strengthen support for platform workers at Grab. This partnership is a big step forward in making sure our voices are better heard through more structured and meaningful engagements. We hope that other platform operators will also step forward and work together with us for more equitable working conditions.”
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