Recession risk raises urgency to grant gig workers CPF, full benefits

THE rising cost of living is weighing on the economically vulnerable. Without the same job and benefits protections as employees, gig workers could be hit especially hard.

Those who rely on online aggregation platforms for work – driving taxis or private-hire vehicles, or doing on-demand delivery – deserve the same protections as employees. A good place to start: contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings scheme, sufficient work injury protection and unionisation.

Having recognised the precarious position of these “platform workers”, Singapore has spent the past year studying how to better safeguard them. The committee tasked with the review is set to announce its recommendations in the next month or two.