[SINGAPORE]

TAXI and private-hire car drivers will be able to continue delivering food and groceries until September 2022, in an extension of a trial that began in March last year.

Current point-to-point transport regulations prohibit taxis and private-hire cars from making such deliveries, but these rules were temporarily relaxed as the Covid-19 pandemic forced many to stay home - resulting in a surge in demand for delivery services.

Announcing the extension on Monday, Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor said it has helped to supplement driver incomes during the pandemic. Because fewer people were taking rides, these drivers' incomes had been hard hit.

"In fact, it also benefits businesses and consumers ... as demand for delivery services, particularly food delivery services, increases," she said. Since the trial began, an average of about 17,500 taxi and private-hire car drivers have carried out deliveries, she added.

Dr Khor also responded to the announcement by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally that the Manpower Ministry will study how to accord more protection to workers who depend on online platforms. While Mr Lee named only delivery workers in his rally speech, taxi and private-hire car drivers are also part of this group of platform workers, Dr Khor said.

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An advisory committee has been formed by the Manpower Ministry to look into strengthening protections for these platform workers, such as by improving their retirement and housing adequacy, ensuring adequate work injury compensation and allowing union representation.

The Transport Ministry and Land Transport Authority will take part in and contribute actively to this committee, said Dr Khor. "We are also working with our tripartite partners, including NTUC as well and the taxi and PHC (private-hire car) operators, and of course the National Taxi Association and National Private Hire Vehicle Association, to also look into how to further enhance the welfare of our taxi and private hire car drivers," she added.

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