NTUC and its affiliated associations will continue to advocate for the protection of platform workers in long-term financial adequacy, sufficient medical and injury coverage, and better representation.
NTUC, the National Taxi Association (NTA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) made the statement on 15 November 2022.
The statement comes a week before the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers is set to deliver its recommendations to better protect platform workers.
Regarding long-term financial adequacy, the Labour Movement urged platform workers and operators to contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF). The CPF contribution will ensure platform workers can build up financial adequacy in the long-term such as for retirement and housing needs, said NTUC.
The Labour Movement also said platform workers will require support through the transition period should CPF contributions be made mandatory.
It also added that it is ready to work with the Government to ensure platform workers receive sufficient support and mitigate the impact any legislation might have on their take-home pay.
NTUC added that there needs to be adequate and consistent coverage provided by all platform operators for all platform workers on medical and injury coverage. The coverage must cover medical expenses, loss of income, and unfortunate situations such as loss of life and total permanent disability.
Platform workers cannot claim work-related injuries under the Work Injury Compensation Act.
Medical coverage provided by platform operators is currently inadequate and uneven, leaving little to no income support for platform workers on medical leave, added NTUC.
In a survey conducted by NDCA earlier this year among 302 delivery riders, out of the 21 per cent who have made insurance claims with platform operators, about a third of them find that coverage is insufficient.
NTUC and its affiliated associations also continued to call for legislative backing to represent platform workers better.
As the law does not recognise platform workers as employees, the associations do not have the same legislative powers as trade unions to represent them.
NTUC added that platform workers must be represented to have their concerns heard.
NTUC has been gathering feedback from platform workers through initiatives such as the #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations.
Meanwhile, NTUC also conducted a focus group discussion on 15 November 2022 with more than 40 female taxi and private-hire vehicle drivers to hear their concerns, needs and aspirations.
Drivers shared their career choice and work patterns, issues at work, and financial and retirement needs.
One participant was mother of two Valerie Thong, who has been a private-hire car driver for more than five years.
She said that being a private-hire vehicle driver offers her the flexibility to carry out her caregiving duties.
But she is also concerned about saving for her family and long-term needs such as retirement and housing.
She added: “I also hope platform companies will provide medical and injury coverage for their drivers so that we can be taken care of when we fall sick or get injured while working.”
NTA, NPHVA, and NDCA Advisor Yeo Wan Ling said NTUC has been having close discussions with various stakeholders on key issues that platform workers face as part of the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers.
“We hope the recommendations released soon will provide enhanced protection to platform workers and help them secure a better future. We encourage more platform workers to join our conversations on improving and protecting your livelihoods, so our associations can be strong voices to continue championing your interests,” she said.
Ms Yeo was also one of the panelists for a multi-stakeholder dialogue conducted on 15 October 2022 by the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers.
The committee said it has reached out to more than 20,000 platform workers since its formation after the National Day Rally last year. It has also engaged 20 platform companies and industry associations and spoken to nearly 2,700 platform users.
The committee also shared some of its findings from the engagements.
Eighty per cent of platform workers said they preferred the work for its low entry barriers, high level of autonomy and flexibility.
But the committee also found areas where platform workers are subject to control by platform companies.
Currently, platform operators set the prices of services, and platform workers feel transparency could be improved, especially on incentives.
The committee said even though platform workers are not considered employees, they are subject to more controls than typical self-employed persons.
Advisory Committee on Platform Workers Chairperson Goh Swee Chen said that the issues facing platform workers are complex and multi-faceted.
She said: “This is why we’ve taken the time to hear and to consider the different perspectives from all the parties, the workers, the companies, the users.”
The committee’s vice-chair Prof Danny Quah concurred and said: “We need to set up clear principles that provide the elements and take into account the diversity of views and interests. We needed to strike the right balance.”
He added that any implementation should be phased in gradually.
“There should not be a short, sharp shock to the system that threatens the sustainability and the viability of the industry or the livelihoods of the workers,” he explained.
The committee hopes its recommendations will serve as a necessary and constructive part of the platform ecosystem’s continuing development and Singapore’s continuing evolution as a society with more robust safety nets and collective support.
