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Opening Remarks at Release of recommendations by Platform Workers Trilateral Group

Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, MDDI National Press Centre

  1. Thank you media friends for joining us today. 
  2. Let me start by setting the context of the work by the Platform Workers Trilateral Group. The Platform Workers Act was implemented from 1st January this year. It strengthens protections for Platform Workers (PWs) in the areas of housing and retirement adequacy, work injury compensation, and provides a legal framework for representation. In particular, the Act allowed for the formation of Platform Work Associations (PWAs), which represents the needs and interests of PWs.
  3. The formation of the Trilateral Group builds on the Platform Workers Act, to address concerns raised by the PW community and to safeguard their well-being. We initially involved NTUC to represent the PWs, and Grab, as the key player in the local platform economy. As discussions progressed, we also invited SNEF and other Platform Operators (POs) to come on board, to ensure we have strong industry commitment to collectively address the challenges faced by PWs. 
  4. In developing the recommendations, we have several key considerations:
    a. First,  recommendations should retain the advantages of the platform ecosystem while being practicable and implementable in a sustainable manner. We also recognise that the ride-hail, food delivery and parcel delivery sectors have different business practices, and we want to ensure that recommendations are compatible with POs’ business needs. Hence certain recommendations apply to specific platform work sectors to address their unique challenges, and some are also developed directly between POs and PWAs.
    b. Second, recommendations should safeguard PWs’ safety as of paramount importance.
    c. Third, everyone has a part to play – this includes the Government, PWAs, POs, PWs, and members of the public who are consumers of these services. It is only if we work together, and all do our part, that we will be able to tackle these complex challenges.
  5. The Government, PWAs and POs will work together to take strong action to stamp out illegal activities in the platform work sector. We will continue to uncover foreigners who illegally perform platform work either through enforcement checks, which the Government will carry out based on tipoffs from PWAs and the public, or through reports that the POs will submit to the Government if they do detect such activities on their platforms. I would like to express my appreciation to many of our local delivery riders who took time to assist in MOM’s enforcement efforts over the past few months. I know many of our checks will inconvenience our riders, as they are busy trying to fulfil orders that were given to them. This may have extended their delivery duration by up to 10 minutes. I thank them for their time, because this is important for us to root out illegal practices in this sector.
  6. When our investigations uncover that an offence has been committed, our law already provides for stringent penalties. The foreigner who performed platform work illegally is liable to a fine of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to two years, or both. The local who abetted the foreigner by allowing the foreigner to misuse their platform account may also face the same severe penalties.
  7. Today, if Platform Workers are found to have allowed foreigners to misuse their platform accounts, some POs already permanently debar them from working for that PO. The POs engaged by the Trilateral Group are going one step further. Specifically, the POs have collectively agreed to debar the local who abetted the foreigner for at least 24 months if MOM’s investigations reveal that an offence has been committed. This means that the individual will not be able to register for an account with all other POs and work as a PW until the debarment is over. The POs can permanently debar the PW if they choose to do so.
  8. Beyond POs, everyone, including PWs and the general public can also do their part. MOM has launched a dedicated channel on our website for members of the public and PWs to report any foreigners suspected of performing illegal platform work. I encourage PWs and the public to use this reporting channel and not take it upon themselves to confront individuals for their own safety and the safety of others. MOM will continue to work with the National Delivery Champions Association to identify hotspots and conduct enforcement checks when needed. Together, we are sending a strong signal to deter errant individuals from committing illegal activities in the platform sector.
  9. Apart from stamping out illegal competition, the Trilateral Group has also agreed that POs and PWs will work together to establish various good practices for fairer and safer platform work. This includes providing greater clarity to PWs on POs’ incentive schemes, as well as encouraging our PWs to take care of their health and safety while at work.
  10. In terms of timelines, the ten recommendations address a wide range of issues with varying complexities, and will be implemented in phases. Thanks to productive discussions by the Trilateral Group, we have already implemented some recommendations, such as the enhancement to our website for reporting as I mentioned earlier. While other recommendations may require more time to implement, the Trilateral Group and all POs remain committed to implementing these recommendations expeditiously.
  11. Supporting the welfare of our PWs is a collective responsibility. By working hand-in-hand, we will be able to do more to safeguard the livelihood, safety and well-being of PWs. 
  12. Let me now say a few words in Mandarin.
  13. 通过今年生效的平台员工法令，平台员工组建了平台工作协会，更好地维护他们的权益和福祉。基于这项法令，三方合作小组进一步深入探讨了平台员工所关心的问题和所面临的挑战。
  14. 在提出建议时，我们重点考虑了几个方面：
    a. 第一，建议必须切实可行、能够长期落实，同时也要保留平台生态的优势。我们明白不同平台运营商有不同需求，因此尽量确保建议既符合平台运营商的商业需求，也能回应平台员工所关心的问题。有些建议只针对特定类型的平台工作，解决他们独有的问题。也有部分建议是由平台运营商和平台工作协会直接讨论出来的。
    b. 其次，保障平台员工的安全至关重要。
    c. 第三，维护平台员工的权益是大家的共同责任。政府、平台协会、平台员工、平台运营商和广大的消费群众都需要齐心协力，才能应对这些挑战。
  15. 与此同时，人力部在这几个月也加强了对非法配送行为的执法。非常感谢那些配合我们稽查行动的本地配送员。我们也在人力部的网站设立了举报渠道，方便公众反映非法配送的情况。人力部也将继续紧密地和全国配送人员协会合作，在接获他们所提供的情报后，我们会在非法活动的热点地区加强我们的突击检查。为了大家自身的安全，若发现相关情况，请通过官方渠道举报，而不是自行上前对峙。
  16. 接下来，我们会分阶段、尽快落实三方合作小组的建议。涉及问题较为复杂的部分，我们会需要更多时间去推行落实。我希望我们能够携手努力，持续改善平台员工的福祉，保障他们的生计和安全。 谢谢大家。