Government Accepts Recommendations by Tripartite Workgroup to Enhance Representation for Platform Workers
1. The Government accepts all eight recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers (refer to Annex A). More information on the recommendations can be found in the Tripartite Workgroup’s report at go.gov.sg/twg-representation-for-platform-workers-report.
2. The Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers was formed in August 2022 (refer to Annex B for composition of Committee) to propose:
a. A framework for a representative body to seek legal mandate to represent Platform Workers collectively;
b. The scope of issues that can be negotiated between a Platform Operator and a Platform Worker representative body; and
c. A dispute management framework to efficiently address disputes between negotiating parties.
3. The Government will work closely with tripartite partners, Platform Workers and Platform Operators to implement the recommendations from the second half of 2024.
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ANNEX A
Summary of Recommendations by Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers
Process for a Platform Worker Representative Body to Obtain Mandate to Represent Platform Workers
1. A Platform Worker representative body can obtain mandate through direct recognition or secret ballot.
2. All Platform Workers can vote in a secret ballot, except those who are very new or who are inactive.
3. Voting will be done electronically and conducted by MOM.
4. A Platform Worker representative body obtains the mandate when it has majority support from the Platform Workers who voted, subject to a 20% quorum of eligible Platform Workers.
Scope of Negotiations and Formalising Negotiated Agreements
5. Platform Worker representative bodies and Platform Operators should be given the flexibility to determine areas for negotiation.
6. Negotiations will be guided by a set of principles agreed by the Tripartite Workgroup.
7. A collective agreement must be certified at the Industrial Arbitration Court.
How Disagreements between Platform Worker Representative Bodies and Platform Operators will be Resolved
8. Unresolved collective disputes can be surfaced to MOM for conciliation, and if conciliation fails, to the Industrial Arbitration Court for arbitration.
ANNEX B
Composition of Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers
Advisor
Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
Chairpersons
• Mr Poon Hong Yuen, Deputy Secretary (Industry and International), Ministry of Communications and Information [Former Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Manpower until Jun 2023]
• Ms Cham Hui Fong, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC
• Mr Sim Gim Guan, Executive Director, SNEF
Members
Platform Companies
• Mr Tommy Tan, Chief Operating Officer, ComfortDelGro Taxi (effective until Jan 2023) [Representative from taxi sector]
• Mr Yee Hon Wai, Vice President and Head of Digital Mobility Service, ComfortDelGro Taxi (effective from Jan 2023) [Representative from taxi sector]
• Mr Yee Wee Tang, Managing Director, Grab [Representative from ride-hailing sector]
• Mr Alex Lin, Managing Director (Singapore), Lalamove [Representative from goods delivery sector]
• Mr Darryl Chua, Operations Director, foodpanda [Representative from food delivery sector]
Businesses
• Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Business Federation (effective until Dec 2022)
Labour Movement
• Mr Ang Hin Kee, Advisor to National Taxi Association (NTA) & National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), NTUC Assistant Director-General and Director, Governance, Risk & Compliance Division
• Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Advisor to NTA, NPHVA and NDCA (National Delivery Champions Association), and Director, NTUC U SME and U Women and Family
• Ms Jean See Jinli, Executive Secretary to NDCA, Director, NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE), and Former Executive Secretary to NTA
• Mr Goh Yong Wei, President, NDCA
• Mr Goh Say Sing Joseph, General Secretary, NPHVA
Government
• Mr Lee Chung Wei, Divisional Director, Workplace Policy and Strategy Division, MOM
• Mr Kandhavel Periyasamy, Divisional Director, Labour Relations and Workplaces Division, MOM