Reducing Rate of Fatal and Major Injuries among Platform Workers

17 Mr Vikram Nair asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry has any plans to introduce additional measures to (i) further reduce the rate of fatal and major injuries among platform workers and (ii) enhance financial protection for work injury, given the relatively high rate of fatal and major injuries for such workers.

The Minister of State for Manpower (Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash) (for the Minister for Manpower): To reduce injuries among platform workers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has convened a Platform Worker Safety Workgroup comprising relevant Government agencies, platform operators, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and platform work associations. The Member may wish to refer to the combined reply to Question Nos 29, 30 and 31 for oral answer at the 8 April 2026 Sitting for more details.

From 1 January 2025, platform workers are entitled to work injury compensation at the same level of coverage as employees. This includes reimbursement for medical expenses, income loss compensation for medical leave and hospitalisation leave, and lump sum compensation for permanent incapacity or death. To ensure that compensation keeps pace with income growth and rising healthcare costs, MOM regularly reviews the compensation limits stipulated under the Work Injury Compensation Act. The latest changes came into effect on 1 November 2025, which saw maximum coverage increased to $53,000 for medical expenses, $346,000 for permanent incapacity and $269,000 for death.

Mr Speaker: Mr Vikram Nair.

Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang): I thank the Minister of State for the answer, as well as forming a workgroup to look into this issue. I think it is worrying that platform workers have a much higher rate of workplace injuries than many other groups and I think compensation is one component, but does the Minister of State think any interim measures are needed while the workgroup is working out the longer-term solutions?

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash: I thank the Member for the comments. I do fully agree with him that, indeed, we need to increase, for example, firstly, the detection of such unsafe behaviours, finding ways at which we can do so and allowing them to also make a livelihood in the process as well; and to increase awareness of the safety risks and practices that are available. Sometimes, these may involve education of how they should move around, particularly in areas where there are civilians, as well as where there are residents and traffic, and particularly focused on our platform workers who may be operating off two-wheeled devices and bicycles.

I do also think that we should start to think about – and that is something that the workgroup is looking at quite actively – areas at which we can allow for positive safety behaviours, rather than just to look at compensation, which is after the fact, or punitive measures alone. So, that is another area that we are looking at very closely. I would be happy to discuss further and find ways at which we can further improve our system.