Singapore moots new workgroup to discuss gig worker representation

THE government has set up a new workgroup, together with the labour movement and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), to propose a framework for the representation of platform workers – which include cabbies, ride-hailing drivers and delivery persons who work for digital platforms.

The move comes as Singapore deliberates how to ensure basic job protections for these workers. An advisory committee has been studying the issue since last year with 3 areas of focus: retirement and housing adequacy, financial protection in case of work injuries, and bargaining power.

The latter issue is now set to be addressed by the new workgroup, called the Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers (TWG). It is chaired by representatives from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and SNEF, with Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon as an adviser. (full list of members at bottom)

The TWG also includes executives from ComfortDelGro, Grab, Lalamove and foodpanda, each representing the taxi, ride-hailing, goods delivery and food delivery industries respectively.

At its inaugural meeting on Tuesday (Aug 30), the TWG agreed on 3 key deliverables. One will be to propose a framework for a representative body to represent platform workers collectively. The others will be to decide on the scope of issues that can be negotiated between the body and a platform company, as well as to come up with a dispute management framework.

NTUC deputy secretary-general Cham Hui Fong, who is a co-chairperson of the TWG, noted that platform workers currently do not have the right to representation in the event of disputes with platform operators.

“An enhanced framework will close the imbalance in bargaining powers between platforms and platform workers. As platform workers have unique circumstances and needs, we recognise the need to tailor a representation framework to address these features,” she said.

The TWG targets to complete its work in 2023. Ahead of that, the advisory committee expects to submit its recommendations to the government by the end of this year. Tripartite approach

The TWG was formed because the advisory committee decided that stakeholders should study the issue in greater detail and propose a framework that provides platform workers formal representation, while balancing the interests of the companies.

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This approach mirrors Singapore’s tripartite model, said the advisory committee’s chairperson Goh Swee Chen in a statement on Tuesday.

A clear framework would benefit the platform industry, with workers empowered to negotiate for their interests, while companies have clear processes and rules for negotiations, as well as more efficient dispute management.

“While some jurisdictions have applied a one-size-fits-all approach for platform workers and employees, the advisory committee recognises that this may not be an optimal approach for Singapore, as there are clear distinctions between a platform worker and an employee,” she said.

Likewise, Dr Koh described tripartism as a “key ingredient for harmonious labour relations and a strong social compact”.

“There is room to strengthen the tripartite relationship within the platform industry as the industry continues to grow, so that no worker is left behind,” he said.

The composition of the TWG is as follows:

Adviser Koh Poh Koon Senior Minister of State for Manpower

Chairpersons • Poon Hong Yuen, deputy secretary for workforce, MOM • Cham Hui Fong, deputy secretary-general, NTUC • Sim Gim Guan, executive director, SNEF

Members

Platform companies • Taxis: Tommy Tan, chief operating officer, ComfortDelGro Taxi • Ride-hailing: Yee Wee Tang, managing director, Grab • Goods delivery: Alex Lin, Singapore managing director, Lalamove • Food delivery: Darryl Chua, operations director, foodpanda

Businesses • Lam Yi Young, CEO, SBF

Labour movement • Ang Hin Kee, adviser to National Taxi Association (NTA) and National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) • Yeo Wan Ling, adviser to NTA, NPHVA and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) • Jean See, executive secretary to NDCA, and director of NTUC’s freelancers and self-employed unit • Goh Yong Wei, president of NDCA • Goh Say Sing Joseph, general secretary of NPHVA

Government • Lee Chung Wei, divisional director of MOM’s workplace policy and strategy division • Kandhavel Periyasamy, deputy divisional director of MOM’s labour relations and workplaces division and director of the industrial relations department