Representation from the ranks is what platform workers want

IT is becoming clear that platform workers are asking for representatives or representation to ensure their concerns and views are taken into account by platform companies and authorities.

The advisory committee for platform workers has held focus group discussions with about 150 platform workers so far to help shape the committee’s upcoming recommendations, and is expecting to continue engaging with them even after the recommendations are released. The committee comprises members across labour movements, business associations, academia and government, and is chaired by Goh Swee Chen, chairperson of the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, with Senior Minister of State, Dr Koh Poh Koon, as an adviser.

At a dialogue session at Wisma Geylang Serai on Tuesday (Oct 11), about 100 platform workers were asked a variety of questions and polled on what best applied to them. A large majority or 77 per cent were currently paying off a housing loan or intended to buy a house in the next few years.