Singapore has taken a significant step towards providing better labour protection for platform workers, including cabbies, private-hire drivers, and freelance delivery workers who rely on online matching platforms for income. The Platform Workers Bill, passed by Parliament on Sept 10, 2025, designates this group as a distinct legal category, bridging the gap between employees and the self-employed.
Once the Bill is in effect, companies classified as platform operators must comply with legal obligations and provide protections for their platform workers. The Bill will also see measures implemented to:
- help platform workers with their housing and retirement adequacy through CPF contributions,
- provide platform workers with financial compensation for work-related injuries and
- formalise platform worker representation through Platform Work Associations (PWA).
According to Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon, platform workers will receive enhanced levels of contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings scheme, akin to what employees and employers currently contribute. Additionally, platform operators will be required to provide standardised work injury compensation insurance policies with the same level of coverage as employees.
Dr. Koh explains: “We will have to make trade-offs and accept that not all issues and gaps in the platform space can be fully addressed through this legislation alone.”
Koh highlighted the establishment of platform work associations, which will empower platform workers to negotiate and sign legally binding collective agreements with operators, and gain access to various avenues of redress, including the right to strike if deemed necessary.
In recognizing the challenges associated with implementing the new law, Koh emphasized the careful balance of interests among various stakeholders. He assured that measures within the law prevent operators from passing on costs to workers and consumers.
The five-year transition period for higher CPF contributions, as well as the option for older platform workers to opt in for the new CPF scheme, were also addressed. Koh stressed that these measures aim to moderate the impact on stakeholders and allow the market time to adjust.
Furthermore, the bill’s scope will be reviewed in the future to potentially cover other platform services, beyond ride-hailing and delivery, responding to concerns raised by MPs.
Mr Koh said: “As Singaporeans, we can all be proud that we are doing this to uplift social security protections for our platform workers who face precarity due to the nature of platform work … This would not have been possible without our tripartite partners and the close tripartite collaboration we have in Singapore.
“I would like to thank NTUC and SNEF for journeying together with us to strengthen our social compact in this new area. Everyone must play their part, including platform operators, platform workers and consumers.”
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed that the bill is the result of Singapore’s strong tripartite partnership, benefiting both workers and businesses while preserving the flexibility that gig work offers.
In conclusion, the passing of the Platform Workers Bill represents a significant advancement in labour protection for platform workers, demonstrating Singapore’s commitment to addressing the evolving nature of the workforce and ensuring fair treatment for all workers.
