Big 3 delivery platforms launch own industry association

SINGAPORE’S 3 largest delivery platforms, Deliveroo, foodpanda and Grab have banded together to launch their own industry association, as the debate over platform worker welfare heats up.

The delivery platforms said the Digital Platforms Industry Association (DPIA) aims to strengthen the frameworks, guidelines and policies underpinning their platform workers and merchants. The DPIA’s role as an industry representative will be to tap on expertise and experience of all 3 platforms for industry best practices.

Aside from industry practices, the association said it will provide upskilling opportunities and strengthen existing health and safety standards for the 3 platforms’ delivery partners and merchants.

Grab, foodpanda and Deliveroo also said that they have been contributing to the consultation on better support for gig workers with government bodies and the National Delivery Champions Association. Currently the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) is likely to be the first of many platform worker reforms to come. Last month, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon said that the advisory committee on gig worker protections is looking at whether WICA could be applied for platform workers.

The DPIA claims it will be the voice of platform workers and merchants, and is looking to identify areas of improvement and collaborate with government and industry bodies. The association will also be launching an industry code of practice to be adopted by all three platforms, relating to health and safety of platform workers and merchants.

“For platform companies, the well-being of our delivery partners and merchants across the marketplace is paramount. That’s why DPIA was established – to consolidate the deep industry expertise of platforms and shape the development and growth of the industry within Singapore’s national economy,” said Deliveroo, foodpanda and Grab in a joint statement.