Although platform work can only be performed by Singaporeans, foreigners have been found to be illegally engaging in food delivery, ride hailing services and cross-border transport.
This has led to unfair competition, their actions impacting the earnings of local platform workers. These illegal actions have been abetted by rampant cases of locals renting or selling locally-registered platform accounts at high prices.
These issues, which are causing distress and anxiety for many platform workers, has not gone unnoticed by the government. Earlier this month, a trilateral workgroup comprising NTUC, Grab and several ministries was formed to address the problem.
MP Yeo Wan Ling, in her capacity as Assistant Secretary-General of NTUC, has long been an ardent advocate for platform workers. With their livelihoods under threat, there is greater urgency in the matter.
“Our Platform Workers Associations hold regular chat sessions with our platform workers and key Union representatives, local MPs and their community leaders,” shared Ms Yeo.
“These chats are where we listen to their concerns, both at a local and national level, and work with Government, platforms and institutions to solve problems.”
Platform workers raised these issues at such dialogue sessions.
Ms Yeo reiterated the importance of solving these issues for local platform workers, as she shared in her Facebook post.
“Thank you once again to our platform workers for sharing your concerns and anxieties with us. We hear you, we understand you, and we are taking action for you. One issue you have raised is that of foreigners illegally taking on delivery work, which directly impacts your earnings.” said Ms Yeo.
“NTUC and our PWAs – National Delivery Champions Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Taxi Association – raised this and other issues on your behalf at the Workgroup meeting today.”
This renewed fight against unfair practices has already borne fruit, with renewed enforcement actions. Twenty two drivers were recently caught providing illegal ride-hailing services at Changi Airport and Gardens by the Bay, and their foreign-registered vehicles were impounded.
Besides meeting with the newly formed Trilateral Workgroup, Ms Yeo also held a discussion with Grab management, which she described as fruitful.
During the meeting, Ms Yeo raised several issues and unfair practices that platform workers face.
To date, foreigners are forking up to $1,000 to buy platform accounts from locals. They then use them illegally to provide delivery or point-to-point ride-hail services. For the latter, they are operating without a Private Hire Car Vocational License, which raises safety concerns.
While the government can impose harsher penalties against such behaviour, platform companies must also play their part.
So far, NTUC Platform Work Associations have signed bilateral agreements with delivery and ride-hail platform companies to address this issue.
In addition, Ms Yeo shared that platform companies ought to have stronger monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent Singaporeans from illegally renting out their accounts to foreigners.
“Platform Work must be performed by and prioritised for Singaporeans and our PRs,” said Ms Yeo.
“This includes ensuring that Singaporean livelihoods are not affected by unfair outsourcing practices, that our Platform Workers earn sustainable wages, and platforms consult with the labour movement on their new incentive schemes,” she added.
In Singapore, every worker matters. It is why the PAP government, together with our tripartite partners, have come together to address the issue. More importantly, efforts by labour MPs, such as Ms Yeo, help ensure that the concerns of our platform workers will always be heard.
