• MOU inked to deepen collaboration and information sharing between TADA and Associations; and enhance skills development and welfare of
TADA driver and delivery partners
• TADA to accord direct recognition to new Platform Worker Representative Body and sponsor member fees for 600 eligible partners for period of one year
NTUC-affiliated associations, the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) (collectively called Associations), have today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with platform operator TADA to better protect the interests of platform workers in Singapore.
The Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers released a set of recommendations in July this year, which sets out a framework towards formal recognition of platform workers via a new Platform Worker Representative Body1 (PWRB) upon commencement of legislative changes in the later part of 2024.
The MOU inked today serves to deepen collaboration and information sharing between TADA and the Associations; and enhance skills development and membership support of TADA driver-partners and delivery-partners (“partners”), even ahead of the impending legislative changes2 .
This paves the way for TADA partners to benefit from better protection of their work-related interests prior to the formation of the new PWRB. In time to come, TADA will accord direct recognition to the new PWRB upon its formation, effectively enabling the PWRB to formally represent the interests of TADA’s partners.
MOU serves to protect interests of platform workers
As set out in the MOU, the parties commit to:
• Enhance skills development
For a start, TADA and the Associations will curate courses in the areas of customer service excellence, safer driving techniques and personal grooming and branding, for TADA partners to ensure a smooth, safe and comfortable commute for consumers and themselves.
Existing onboarding and training initiatives will also be continuously reviewed to ensure that TADA partners of all ages and backgrounds are able to benefit, and partners are equipped with relevant skills for the platform economy.
• Foster open, deeper information sharing
This marks the start of deeper collaboration between the three parties so that they will be able to collectively discuss any issues concerning TADA’s partners, as well as to support social, engagement and member recruitment opportunities.
• Offer membership support
In line with TADA’s aim to enhance the well-being of its partners and provide them with social, recreational, training and skills upgrading benefits, TADA will be subsidising the membership fees for 600 new partners who sign up as NTUC members, for a period of one year. New partners who complete 200 trips within the first month of on-boarding shall be eligible.
The MOU also sets out other areas of collaboration in which all parties agree to look into, such as fair practices pertaining to partners’ welfare, earning capabilities and establishing a framework for management of disputes and grievances.
TADA and Association sign MOU, sealing their commitment
The MOU between TADA and the Associations was signed during NTUC Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Desmond Tan’s visit to TADA Station on 29 November 2023. The signatories were TADA Regional General Manager Jonathan Chua, NPHVA Executive Secretary Raven Lee and NDCA Executive Secretary Jean See. The MOU signing was witnessed by NTUC DSG Tan, TADA CEO Sean Kim, NPHVA General Secretary Joseph Goh and NDCA General Secretary Max Tay Shih Siang. At the visit, NTUC DSG also engaged with some 30 of TADA’s partners.
Today’s MOU is a milestone in the Associations’ continued advocacy for the protection of platform workers in the areas of:
(a) Safeguard the Future - Ensure that platform workers have long-term financial adequacy
(b) Protect the Now - Ensure that platform workers have sufficient medical and injury coverage
(c) Better Representation – Ensure that platform workers’ interests are represented
TADA CEO Sean Kim said, “This Memorandum of Understanding with NTUC marks a significant formalisation of our longstanding, deep collaboration aimed at advancing the interests of our drivers. At TADA, we are profoundly aligned with the mission of the associations and remain unwavering in our commitment to enhance the livelihoods of our drivers through sustaining our zero-commission model. This year has been pivotal for TADA, as we have not only achieved remarkable growth but also reached the milestone of profitability, a success attributable to the dedication of our drivers. Building on this partnership with NTUC, we are excited to introduce the 'TADA Gear Up Education Support Programme’, a tuition subsidy programme to invest in the futures of our drivers' families.”
National Private Hire Vehicles Association General Secretary Joseph Goh Say Sing said, “The signing of MOU with TADA today reflects the parties' steadfast dedication to enhancing the representation of platform drivers. We are glad that TADA will be offering membership to its platform workers, allowing them to access a suite of social, recreational and training benefits, contributing to the improvement of their overall well-being.”
National Delivery Champions Association General Secretary Max Tay Shih Siang said, “We are excited to work closely with TADA as the company expands its footprint in the delivery space in Singapore. This partnership reaffirms NDCA’s commitment to championing the interests of workers in the delivery sector. We will continue to engage more delivery operators and strive towards a fair and sustainable working environment for our delivery workers.”
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[1] The new PWRB will be registered under the new legislation with the guidance of NTUC.
[2] This commitment by TADA comes on the back of an MOU signed between the Associations and Grab earlier in August this year.
