Platform Workers Trilateral Group releases 10 recommendations to safeguard Platform Workers' livelihoods, safety and well-being

Platform Workers Trilateral Group releases 10 recommendations to safeguard Platform Workers' livelihoods, safety and well-being

1. The Platform Workers Trilateral Group, comprising the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Transport (MOT), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Grab Singapore released its recommendations today to safeguard Platform Workers (PWs)' livelihoods, safety and well-being. The Trilateral Group is overseen by Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Ms Sun Xueling, Secretary-General of NTUC Mr Ng Chee Meng, and Group Managing Director of Operations of Grab Mr Yee Wee Tang. The ten recommendations are in the Annex.

2. The Trilateral Group's recommendations address two key areas of concern raised by PWs:

a. Illegal activities in the platform sector: Unauthorised activities in the form of illegal point-to-point (P2P) rides¹, as well as foreigners using local PWs' platform accounts to illegally perform platform work.
b. To advocate for fairer and safer payment and incentive schemes: Concerns about the lack of transparency in the design of Platform Operators (POs)' payment and incentive structures, which may induce PWs to work long hours and compromise safety in pursuit of uncertain earnings.

3. The Trilateral Group's efforts are made possible because of the representation framework for PWs set out in the PW Act, which was implemented from 1 January 2025 to strengthen protections for PWs. NTUC-affiliated Platform Work Associations (PWAs) - National Delivery Champions Association, National Taxi Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association - have played a critical role in highlighting and addressing areas of concern raised by their members and the wider PW community. In addition, the constructive views provided by PWs, other major POs² in the ride-hail and delivery sectors, as well as the Singapore National Employers Federation, were vital in helping the Trilateral Group shape its recommendations and build a strong consensus to tackle common challenges.

4. The Trilateral Group's recommendations are based on these principles:

a. Recommendations should be practicable and sustainable, and retain the advantages of the platform ecosystem;
b. Recommendations should safeguard PWs' livelihoods, safety and well-being; and
c. Recommendations should foster close collaboration between Government, PWAs, POs and PWs to jointly tackle challenges faced by PWs.

5. The recommendations will be adopted by all the POs engaged by the Trilateral Group, and implemented in phases given the varying complexities of the issues. The Trilateral Group has already launched dedicated reporting channels for PWs and members of the public to report potential violations to the authorities. This complements the enhanced enforcement actions undertaken by MOM and MOT to stamp out illegal platform activities across P2P transport services and delivery work.

6. The Trilateral Group is committed to implementing the other recommendations expeditiously. With the strong partnership between POs, PWAs and the Government, and the commitment of POs to address salient issues raised by PWs, we can better safeguard the well-being of Platform Workers in the rapidly evolving platform economy.

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Annex

Recommendations by Platform Workers Trilateral Group
The Trilateral Group's recommendations address concerns faced by PWs and safeguard their well-being.

Stamping out illegal undercutting of local PWs
1. The Government and POs should work together to strengthen enforcement and set stringent punishments for abetting illegal platform work across all platform sectors.

a. POs are to notify MOM if they have reasonable suspicion of PWs allowing foreigners to misuse their platform accounts.
b. MOM will investigate all reports of misuse of accounts. If an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) is established by MOM (e.g. a PW abetted a foreigner to work illegally using his / her account), all POs will debar the PW for a minimum of 24 months.

2. The Government will strengthen enforcement against illegal P2P rides.

a. Push for stronger deterrence, including increasing penalties for violations.
b. Disrupt matching of illegal P2P services by engaging online platforms to take down apps / channels / advertisements that facilitate illegal matching of rides.
c. Strengthen Government's ability to block or remove apps / channels / advertisements on uncooperative platforms facilitating unlicensed P2P trips.

3. Food delivery POs will strengthen detection and prevention of illegal activities in the sector.

a. Conduct regular and randomised identity verification checks of PWs and outsourced workers (e.g. random facial recognition). POs with existing identity verification checks should increase the frequency and/or stringency of such checks, within reason.
b. POs that outsource work through automated job allocation via their app should require the outsourcing companies to submit to POs the work pass documentation of foreign workers involved in these jobs. POs should also conduct audits of all outsourced workers. POs should also share the list of outsourced workers with the Government for checks when requested.
c. POs that outsource work through other means should conduct their own due diligence where relevant.

4. POs, PWAs and the Government will raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal providers and the consequences of engaging in illegal activities.

5. The Government and PWAs will set up dedicated reporting channels for PWs and members of the public to report any foreigners suspected of performing illegal platform work.

a. For reporting illegal ride-hailing services provided by foreign-registered cars, PWs and members of the Public may submit reports on LTA's OneMotoring website (link).
b. For reporting foreigners performing illegal platform delivery work, PWs and members of the Public may submit reports on MOM's 'Report an Infringement' webpage (link).

6. POs, PWAs and the Government should encourage PWs and members of the public to report suspected illegal activities to the Government.

a. PWs and members of public should not take it upon themselves to confront individuals suspected of engaging in illegal P2P services, or foreigners illegally performing food delivery or parcel delivery services, for their own safety and the safety of others.

Establishing practices for fairer and safer platform work
7. POs and PWAs should work together to develop a set of industry-wide principles for issues related to payment and/or incentive schemes.

8. POs and PWAs should collectively identify key information to be provided to PWs to better address anxieties around income uncertainty, and schedule regular meetings to discuss key issues.

9. PWAs will continue to encourage PWs to prioritise and take care of their health and safety.

10. Food delivery POs that outsource jobs will provide more clarity and assurance to PWs on outsourcing practices, and encourage PWs to head to high demand areas.