The Singapore Parliament passed the Platform Workers Bill on 10 September 2024, aiming to enhance the benefits and protections for platform workers. This new legislation mandates Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for workers born after 1995 and improves support in the event of workplace injuries. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will form new Platform Work Associations (PWAs) to safeguard the interests of platform drivers, riders, and workers. Over two days, 27 Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their support for the bill.
Background
The Platform Workers Bill was introduced to address the growing concerns about the welfare and rights of platform workers in Singapore. With approximately 70,500 platform workers making up about 3% of the workforce in 2023, the bill aims to provide them with benefits similar to those of regular employees. The legislation is set to take effect in 2025 and includes provisions for CPF contributions and work injury insurance, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and equity for all workers.
Koh Poh Koon’s support
Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability, Koh Poh Koon, highlighted the precarious nature of platform work, noting that many workers earn modest and fluctuating incomes while facing risks such as traffic accidents. Koh emphasised the societal responsibility to ensure fairness and equity for these workers. He estimated that a 35-year-old platform worker earning S$3,000 monthly could receive an additional S$23,830 in cash and CPF savings over five years under the new law.
Pritam Singh’s concerns
Leader of the Opposition, Pritam Singh, voiced the Workers’ Party’s support for the bill but raised concerns about potential price increases. Singh warned that higher costs could lead to reduced demand for platform services, potentially resulting in less work and lower incomes for platform workers.
Desmond Choo’s perspective
Desmond Choo, MP for Tampines GRC and NTUC’s assistant secretary-general, praised the bill for balancing worker protection with the flexibility of the gig economy. He lauded Singapore’s collaborative approach involving the government, unions, and platform companies.
Louis Chua on algorithmic fairness
Sengkang GRC MP Louis Chua discussed workers’ grievances about platform algorithms. He noted concerns that CPF contributions might lead to biased job assignments, favouring those who do not opt-in, thus benefiting the platform’s bottom line.
Yeo Wan Ling on long-term sustainability
Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC MP and NTUC’s assistant secretary-general, Yeo Wan Ling, supported the bill but stressed the need for transparency in incentives and order mechanisms. She also highlighted the importance of work injury insurance not being tied to performance targets or specific modes of transport.
Jamus Lim on retirement preparation
Sengkang GRC MP Jamus Lim focused on the bill’s role in preparing platform workers for retirement. He noted that many workers opt out of CPF contributions to maximise take-home pay, resulting in insufficient savings for later life. Lim supported the bill’s encouragement for workers to enrol in the CPF system by default.
Joan Pereira on comprehensive protection
Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Joan Pereira called for extending workplace injury compensation to include protection against verbal threats and psychological abuse. She was assured that platform workers would receive matching CPF contributions based on their earnings, regardless of the number of platforms they worked for.
Liang Eng Hwa on collective bargaining
Bukit Panjang SMC MP Liang Eng Hwa emphasised the need for organised representation for platform workers to negotiate with platform operators. He urged the government to support the reskilling of platform workers for continued employment in the service sector or other industries.
Leong Mun Wai on discrimination concerns
Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai expressed concerns about potential discrimination against workers who opt-in for CPF contributions. He suggested implementing a minimum base fare decided by platform companies and workers.
Patrick Tay on future implications
Patrick Tay, MP for Pioneer SMC and NTUC’s assistant secretary-general, reflected on the emergence of delivery platforms since 2013. He noted that while the bill currently covers ride-hailing and delivery workers, it could eventually extend to other platform-based jobs such as cleaning, caregiving, and utility work.
Gerald Giam on NTUC’s role
Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam expressed reservations about NTUC-affiliated Platform Work Associations, questioning whether they could fully advocate for workers given their relationship with the ruling party. He suggested that workers should have the freedom to join or form associations that best represent their interests.
Yip Hon Weng on mental health support
Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng supported the bill and highlighted the need for mental health support for platform workers, who often face verbal abuse and stress. He urged the ministry to prioritise protection against threats and abuse.
Jean See on worker safety
NMP Jean See, director of NTUC’s freelancers and self-employed unit, appreciated the bill’s focus on moderating platform operators’ profit-seeking behaviour to prioritise worker health and safety. She noted that amendments to the Work Injury Compensation Act could incentivise platform operators to value worker safety.
Melvin Yong on road safety
Radin Mas SMC MP and NTUC’s assistant secretary-general, Melvin Yong, stressed the importance of road safety for platform workers. He advocated for proper road safety training and the provision of safety equipment such as reflective vests and helmets.
Sharael Taha on monitoring behaviours
Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Sharael Taha suggested that platform operators monitor unsafe driving behaviours and provide proper insurance coverage for workers.
Louis Ng on working conditions
Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng supported the bill, calling it a “good step” towards better working conditions for platform workers. He emphasised the need to protect workers from unfair dismissal or discrimination by platform operators.
Ong Hua Han on youth employment
NMP Ong Hua Han cautioned that the bill might unintentionally frame platform work as a viable career path for youths. He stressed that platform work lacks the benefits, stability, and long-term career progression offered by other industries and encouraged younger workers to seek more stable jobs.
Mariam Jaafar on flexibility and security
Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar hoped the bill would consider the differing needs of platform workers, ensuring that flexibility does not equate to insecurity. She emphasised that job safety regulations should not compromise workers’ sense of flexibility.
Neil Parekh on operational costs
NMP Neil Parekh expressed concern that complying with the new regulations would increase operational costs for businesses.
Mark Lee on emerging platform services
NMP Mark Lee noted the growth of platform services such as cleaning and caregiving. He encouraged ongoing engagement with businesses and workers to adapt the bill to the rapidly changing platform economy.
Usha Chandradas on gender disparities
NMP Usha Chandradas highlighted that platform workers in delivery and ride-hailing sectors are predominantly male. She called for legislative help to safeguard the rights of workers in female-dominated platform services such as beauty, grooming, caregiving, and cleaning.
Fahmi Aliman on timely legislation
Marine Parade GRC MP Fahmi Aliman, director of NTUC’s operations and mobilisation division, noted the bill’s timeliness given the rapid expansion of platform-based jobs. He mentioned initiatives like the CPF Transition Support Scheme and improvements to the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) to ease financial burdens on platform workers.
Syed Harun Alhabsyi on worker dignity
NMP Syed Harun Alhabsyi voiced concerns about the dehumanisation of platform workers. He stressed the importance of the bill in protecting the dignity of work and ensuring workers do not compromise their safety and welfare to make ends meet.
Ang Wei Neng on older workers
West Coast GRC MP Ang Wei Neng called for more protections for older platform workers. He suggested raising the CPF contribution rate for workers above 65 to match that of younger workers, arguing that age should not dictate the value of their work.
Gan Thiam Poh on working hours
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Gan Thiam Poh proposed implementing a cap on working hours per week for platform workers, noting the absence of such regulation.
Rachel Ong on safety measures
West Coast GRC MP Rachel Ong supported the bill but emphasised the need for stringent safety measures for platform workers. She called for ongoing collaboration between the government and industry to clarify, enforce, and review safety provisions.
Xie Yao Quan on tripartism
Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan termed the bill “a great leap forward” for platform workers’ rights. He praised Singapore’s unique tripartism model, which he believed would help overcome challenges and ensure the bill’s success.
Debate within a debate
Beyond the bill, MPs debated the relationship between the government, the ruling party, and the NTUC. This discussion highlighted the complexities of implementing the new law and the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure its effectiveness.
