Push for Platform Operators to Join Safety Time-out Given High Number of Fatal or Major Injuries amongst Platform Workers
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether platform operators joined the June 2026 Safety Time-Out and whether targeted time-outs will be mandated for platform workers, raised by Mr Cai Yinzhou to the Acting Minister for Manpower. In response, Ms Jasmin Lau stated that at least one platform operator participated in the voluntary safety time-out called from 26 June to 9 July 2026 following seven workplace fatalities. She clarified that safety time-outs are triggered based on fatal injury numbers and recurrent underlying causes that require heightened industry vigilance. The Ministry of Manpower is prepared to mandate targeted platform-specific safety time-outs if evidence links platform incentives to work accidents. Additionally, the Platform Worker Safety Workgroup is reviewing causal factors and safety measures, including the role of incentives, and will conclude by end-2026.
Transcript
93 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Acting Minister for Manpower given 44 fatal or major injuries to platform workers in the first half of 2026 (a) whether platform operators joined the June 2026 Safety Time-Out; (b) what thresholds trigger a Safety Time-Out; (c) whether platform injuries count towards these thresholds; and (d) whether the Ministry will mandate platform-specific Safety Time-Outs, such as pausing volume-based incentives, when thresholds are crossed.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) called for companies, including platform operators, to participate in a nationwide voluntary safety time-out from 26 June 2026 to 9 July 2026. This was to arrest the rise in fatalities, as seven workplace fatalities had occurred from end-May to June 2026 across different sectors and industries, including one platform worker. The safety time-out encouraged all companies to review their workplace safety processes and pay attention to vehicle-related activities and individual worker lapses. We understand that at least one platform operators participated in the voluntary safety time-out.
In deciding whether to call for a safety time-out, MOM will consider the number of fatal injuries and whether there are any recurrent underlying causes that require the need to heighten vigilance by industry to stem further accidents. If there is evidence that platform incentives are the cause of platform work accidents, MOM is prepared to take action including through mandating targeted platform operator-specific safety time-outs, where applicable.
To address the high injury rate among platform workers, the recently formed Platform Worker Safety Workgroup is studying further measures to improve platform work safety including the role of incentives and other potential causal factors for accidents involving platform workers. The Workgroup expects to conclude its work by end-2026 and will share its recommendations when ready.