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Written Answer to PQ on Platform Incentive Structure causing Unsafe Driving Behaviors

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1337 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON 6 OCT 2026
QUESTION NO. 2086 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Jackson Lam

To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower on the Platform Worker (PW) Safety Workgroup convened by the Ministry (a) what methodology, if any, is the Workgroup using to study if platform incentive structures inadvertently encourages unsafe riding or driving behaviour, including time-based bonuses, delivery targets and peak hour incentives; and (b) what is the estimated timeline, if any, for the Workgroup to share its findings and recommendations.

Answer:

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shares the Member’s concerns on the importance of strengthening platform worker (PW) safety. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Platform Services states that platform operators (POs) should not set any limit, penalty, or bonus incentive for completing a job within a certain time. In monitoring compliance with the ACOP, MOM reviewed accidents involving PWs, cross-checking the POs’ records of the PW’s work history and remuneration, and obtaining information on their incentive structures. We have not found any evidence that these accidents were caused by unsafe riding or driving behaviour arising from platform incentive structures.

2 Notwithstanding this, MOM has worked with POs, NTUC and platform work associations (PWAs) to address potential safety risks from incentives upstream. Beyond the existing requirements in the ACOP, POs and PWAs have jointly developed additional guardrails on payment and incentive schemes, including that incentives should not encourage PWs to work excessively long periods without adequate rest. This framework enables PWAs to raise safety concerns on incentive schemes to POs for bilateral discussion and mitigation.

3 The PW Safety Workgroup, formed in Mar 2026, is discussing further measures to improve platform work safety and will continue to study the role of incentives and other potential causal factors for accidents involving PWs. The Workgroup expects to conclude its work by end-2026 and will share its recommendations when ready.