Proposed Bill introduces protections for Singapore’s platform workers

The Platform Workers Bill (278-page / 1051KB PDF), which was recently introduced in Singapore Parliament, follows the government’s announcement last year that a new legislative framework would be implemented.

Under the proposed Bill, platform workers – which refers to workers employed by organisations using online platforms such as Grab and Deliveroo to provide services to customers – will be designated as a distinct category, separate from employees and the self-employed, and will have basic job protections they do not currently have access to.

The proposed provisions include work injury compensation and housing and retirement support in the form of Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. These provisions will mean amendments to the CPF Act, the Work Injury Compensation Act and the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

Amendments to the Industrial Relations Act and the Trade Disputes Act will also follow, to include the Bill’s proposed legal framework for platform workers’ representation.

Mayumi Soh, an employment law expert at Pinsent Masons MPillay, the Singapore joint law venture between MPillay and Pinsent Masons, said: “This is a groundbreaking bill because platform workers who are engaged by platforms will now have access to benefits such as a right to participate in work associations, receive CPF contributions, and be covered under work injury insurance.”

“On the part of platform operators, there are various new obligations and registration requirements they will have to comply with. Platform operators should start to familiarise themselves with these obligations to give themselves ample time to make the necessary preparations.”