• NTUC, and Platform Work Associations when formed, will represent platform workers' interests for better earnings, welfare and work prospects under the new Platform Workers law
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated associations, National Taxi Association (NTA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), welcome and strongly support the Parliament’s passing of the Platform Workers Bill today. This development marks a win for our platform workers and a significant milestone in NTUC’s ongoing efforts to safeguard platform workers’ livelihoods.
When the Platform Workers law is implemented and the new Platform Work Associations (PWAs) are formed by NTUC, the PWAs will have the legal backing to represent platform workers to protect and enhance their rights and welfare. The law paves the way for additional grievance resolution mechanisms for PWA members, including conciliation with the Ministry of Manpower and escalation to the Industrial Arbitration Court, when necessary. This structured system ensures that platform workers have access to fair dispute resolution depending on the severity of the issue.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “The Platform Workers law is a significant win for platform workers, and is an important milestone for NTUC’s work in championing their interests. Under the new law, platform workers can look forward to better earnings that will support their retirement and housing needs, as well as better protections to safeguard their safety at work. NTUC and our affiliated associations will also have the legal backing to negotiate for better earnings, welfare and work prospects for our platform workers. We are committed to protecting and enhancing the livelihoods of platform workers, because Every Worker Matters.”
Examples of PWAs working with platform operators for better outcomes
Registered PWAs and platform operators can engage in direct dialogue to discuss platform-related work matters. The PWAs will have the legal backing to represent their members to negotiate on work-matters such as fair treatment and sustainable earnings with platform operators that formally recognise the PWAs.
Beyond negotiating for earnings, PWAs will work with platform operators to enhance health and safety practices, to improve working conditions for workers. These practices can potentially include reviewing the impact of platform policies on workers’ health and safety and improving safety protocols for drivers and delivery riders who are constantly on the go to complete job assignments and at higher risk of accidents and injuries. war
NTUC has long championed for platform workers’ interests
NTUC has been representing taxi drivers in the taxi industry even before 2010 when NTA was established with the merger of six taxi operators’ associations. Additionally, NPHVA and NDCA have been looking after the interests of private hire drivers and delivery riders from 2016 and 2020 respectively. NTUC’s long-standing commitment to platform workers demonstrates its foresight in addressing emerging workforce challenges.
NTUC and its affiliated associations remain committed to working closely with tripartite partners to ensure the successful implementation of the Platform Workers law so that our platform workers’ interests are protected and enhanced.
