When platform work started out a decade ago, it attracted many workers which thrived on the self-employed flexibility and high earnings promised through incentives.
However, platform workers were also vulnerable to risks such as accidents, unjustified consumer complaints, being suspended or banned from using the platforms without redress, and adjustments to incentives without being consulted, affecting their livelihoods.
Although I have heard of platform workers who were earning above $5,000 a month, I have also heard complaints by workers who were permanently injured in the course of work without compensation and many others who experienced reduce earnings when the platform companies changed the methods they used to calculate commissions and allocate jobs.
In September 2024, Singapore passed the Platform Workers Bill, which gives gig workers, like delivery riders and private-hire drivers, better protection.
This new law is a big step because it addresses long-standing issues that platform workers have faced, like the lack of Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions and injury compensation.
But what makes the bill possible in Singapore when other countries are still struggling with it?
The answer lies in Singapore’s unique way of handling things: tripartism between the government, NTUC, and businesses, and the symbiotic relationship between NTUC and PAP.
What Is the Platform Workers Bill?
Before diving into the details, let’s look at what this bill actually does. It’s a game changer for platform workers, who have long been stuck in a grey area—being neither full-time employees nor freelancers who have a wider range of clients to choose from.
This new bill provides protection for:
- Work Injury Compensation: If a platform worker is hurt on the job, they are now entitled to injury compensation, just like other employees.
- CPF Contributions: Both platform workers and platform companies must contribute to workers’ CPF, helping the former save for housing and retirement.
- Legal Representation: Platform workers can be legally represented by union-like associations, giving them a voice in negotiations with platform companies
Why Is This Possible in Singapore?
1. Strong Tripartism
One key reason this bill could be passed in Singapore is because of tripartism. Tripartism is a system where the government, employers, and NTUC work closely together to find solutions that benefit everyone.
In Singapore, these three groups talk to each other regularly and come up with policies that help workers while considering businesses’ points of view to agree on a way forward.
This cooperation has allowed Singapore to push ahead with worker protections that would be difficult to pass in countries where there are more conflicts between employers and unions that sometimes end up in strikes that not only affect all parties but the public as well.
2. NTUC and PAP: A Symbiotic Relationship
Another reason this bill was possible is the close relationship between NTUC and the People’s Action Party (PAP).
NTUC, representing workers across 65 affiliated unions and associations in Singapore, works closely with the PAP to achieve a common goal: to protect workers while keeping Singapore’s economy strong. This relationship helps NTUC get workers’ voices heard where it matters.
What Will Change With the Bill?
1. Better Protection for Workers
Before this bill, platform workers didn’t have the same protections as regular employees. They had to rely on the goodwill of platform companies for benefits like insurance or retirement savings.
Now, with the CPF contributions and injury compensation, platform workers are much better protected financially. This will help them save for big milestones like buying a house and ensure they’re covered if they get hurt on the job.
2. Stronger Voice for Workers
Another important change is that platform workers now have a legal framework for representation.
This means they can be part of associations that can negotiate on their behalf and sign legally binding collective agreements with platform operators on behalf of the workers to ensure accountability from these companies, something that wasn’t possible before.
Platform workers will also gain access to a formal process to resolve collective disputes, with the Ministry of Manpower being the first port of call for conciliation before the dispute is brought before the Industrial Arbitration Court.
3. Improving Company Welfare
Companies themselves play a role. While they have grown in size and benefited financially due to the demand for the convenience of quick deliveries and cheap rides, the people behind these services deserve better protection and welfare.
Platform companies need to understand that looking after platform workers is part of doing business in a sustainable way, just like how they look after employees.
What If We Didn’t Have This Bill?
Without these protections for the platform workers, long-term social issues may arise.
For example, without this bill, platform workers would continue to face financial insecurity. Many platform workers have shared stories about how difficult it is to plan for the future without CPF contributions or job security. For example, they wouldn’t be able to save enough for a home or retirement, and if they got injured at work, they may have to bear the costs themselves.
Platform workers who face disputes with the platform operators or are vulnerable to sudden changes in the algorithms used to determine fees and trips assigned which would then impact their pay, would also lack a formal avenue to seek redress and raise their concerns.
The Future for Platform Workers
I’m glad and relieved that this bill will have a positive impact not just for the current generation of platform workers but also for future platform workers. By legally enhancing protection, welfare and representation, platform workers can better plan for their future and feel more secure in their jobs.
The bill also forces companies to rethink their business models to consider platform workers’ rights and welfare, making them more sustainable in the long run.
Conclusion: Why This Bill Matters
The new Platform Workers Bill is a huge step forward for Singapore. It shows that by working together, the government, NTUC, businesses, and consumers can all play their part to protect workers while keeping the economy strong.
This bill wasn’t just about giving platform workers benefits—it’s about making sure that every worker in Singapore has a chance to build a secure future.
