Enabling stronger voice for platform workers
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 the new Bill covering platform workers, which was introduced in Parliament today. When passed, the new legislation would empower NTA, NPHVA and NDCA to continue and be a stronger voice that champions platform workers' interests and welfare.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “NTUC and its affiliated associations have been actively representing platform workers’ interests and welfare over the past years. This Bill is an important milestone for our community of platform workers, because our associations would be able to negotiate collectively for them, better represent them in disputes, and provide them with better support services after the Bill is passed.”
“We are grateful to the Government for hearing out the concerns put forth by NTUC, NDCA, NPHVA, and NTA over the years that addressed the needs of platform workers. This new Bill demonstrates their willingness to listen to the concerns and suggestions raised by NTUC, our associations and platform workers.”
He added, “We are also grateful to the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and our employer partners for their dedication to improving platform workers' well-being. This collaborative approach has enabled us to enhance the protection and interests of platform workers thereby demonstrating the value of a strong tripartite relationship.”
Our commitment to platform workers
NTUC has long been a strong advocate for platform workers' interests. This commitment dates back to June 2010 when NTUC established NTA to garner greater benefits for taxi drivers at the industry level. Subsequently, NPHVA was set up in 2016 and NDCA was set up in 2020 respectively to support our private hire drivers and delivery champions. These demonstrated NTUC and our associations’ ground activism and proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of our platform workers.
In August 2021, recognising the nascent and fast-evolving landscape of platform work, NTUC formally called for more robust legislative backing to enable us to better represent platform workers interests and welfare.
For platform workers, NTUC and our associations have been focusing on three areas that matter a lot to them and will continue to do so:
Working closely with tripartite partners
NTUC and our associations remain committed to continue working closely with our stakeholders, including the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), platform operators, and our platform worker because NTUC cares for platform workers’ livelihood and rights, and Every Worker Matters.
