Impact of Platform Workers Act on Incomes, Protections and Welfare of Platform Drivers and Delivery Riders
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of the Platform Workers Act on platform workers' welfare and whether lessons can strengthen protections for other self-employed persons, as raised by Ms Yeo Wan Ling to the Acting Minister for Manpower. In response, Ms Jasmin Lau highlighted that the Act has improved retirement adequacy, work injury protection, and representation frameworks since its implementation in January 2025. Around 90,000 platform workers have benefited from monthly Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, close to 24,000 lower-income workers received CPF Transition Support grants, and over 1,000 injury claims were compensated. Additionally, 12 platform operators have recognized platform work associations, while tripartite groups continue addressing unauthorized activities, payment schemes, and safety. The Ministry will continue monitoring the Act’s outcomes to assess how relevant lessons may be applied to support self-employed persons in other sectors.
Transcript
52 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the impact of the Platform Workers Act on the incomes, protections and welfare of platform drivers and delivery riders; and (b) how may the lessons drawn from implementing the Act be applied to strengthening protections and support for other self-employed persons, including coaches, instructors and creative professionals.
Ms Jasmin Lau: Since the implementation of the Platform Workers Act in January 2025, platform workers have benefitted from improved housing and retirement adequacy, financial protection in the event of work injury and a formal representation framework.
In 2025, around 90,000 platform workers have benefitted from Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions each month and close to 24,000 lower-income platform workers received cash support through the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support grant. On work injury compensation, more than 1,000 claims have received compensation. To date, 12 platform operators have officially recognised at least one platform work association.
The Ministry has also taken further steps in concert with tripartite partners and platform operators to improve the welfare of platform workers. This includes the Platform Workers Trilateral Group, which addressed concerns on unauthorised activities in the platform sector and advocated for fairer and safer payment and incentive schemes, and the Platform Worker Safety Workgroup, which seeks to strengthen safeguards against work-related injuries among platform workers.
The Ministry will continue to work with tripartite partners to monitor the impact of the Platform Workers Act and study how relevant lessons may be applied to policies to support self-employed persons in other sectors, taking into account the different characteristics of their working arrangements and needs.