Enhancing Workplace Safety and Health of Food Delivery Riders
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the enhancement of workplace safety for food delivery riders incentivised to maximize deliveries, as raised by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng responded that the Workplace Safety and Health Council is reviewing work processes with platform companies to improve road safety and prevent accidents. He highlighted existing resources, such as the March 2021 Guide to Safe Riding, and ongoing awareness campaigns designed to educate riders on mitigating road hazards. Additionally, the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers is currently developing measures to strengthen protections, including financial compensation for work-related injuries. These policy recommendations are expected to be completed by the second half of 2022 to ensure that delivery incentives do not compromise rider safety.
Transcript
18 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower how does the Ministry intend to enhance the workplace safety and health of food delivery riders who are often incentivised by food delivery platforms to deliver as many orders as possible during peak hours, which may result in endangering their lives.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shares the Member’s concerns regarding the safety of food delivery platform riders. While food delivery platforms may want to incentivise riders to take on more orders, this must not be at the expense of safety and health, especially given the inherent risks of being on the road.
There are existing efforts by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council to guide industry road safety practices for companies, such as through circulars to emphasise their safety duties. The WSH Council is working with platform companies to review work processes to enhance the safety of platform workers on the road to prevent accidents, including food delivery platform riders. More details will be shared when ready.
There have also been campaigns to raise awareness among workers on safety measures and tips to prevent accidents. For example, the WSH Council published its Guide to Safe Riding in March 2021, which highlights the risks that delivery riders face and provides good practices that they can adopt to keep safe on the roads.
In parallel, the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers is looking to strengthen protections for platform workers, including financial compensation in case of work injury. Work is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2022.