Statistics on Delivery Riders Affected by PMD Ban and Efforts to Provide Job Search Support
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the support provided by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) for food delivery riders affected by the personal mobility device ban. Ms Rahayu Mahzam inquired about unemployment statistics and the specific job search assistance available to these individuals. Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo responded that the Transition Assistance Package was launched, involving over 70 on-site coaching sessions and curated job fairs. She noted that while unemployment is not directly tracked, over 180 riders have sought help through initiatives like the Adapt & Grow Place-and-Train Programme. The government remains committed to providing employment facilitation and training support to any affected riders who choose to seek assistance in the future.
Transcript
65 Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the efforts made by NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and Workforce Singapore in working with the food delivery companies to provide job search support for delivery riders affected by the PMD ban; (b) whether the Ministry tracks the number of delivery riders who have sought job search support; (c) how many delivery riders have become unemployed as a result of the PMD ban; and (d) what are the plans to support those who remain unemployed.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Various Government agencies worked together with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and food delivery companies to come up with the Transition Assistance Package, or TAP for short, to help food delivery riders transition to using alternatives to e-scooters, or to other jobs.
As riders do not need to inform the food delivery companies when they have decided to stop taking deliveries, there is no clear-cut way to track the number of affected riders who have become unemployed. Instead, our approach has been to proactively reach out to those who may be looking for other jobs.
For affected food delivery riders who are looking to change jobs, Workforce Singapore (WSG) and NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) have deployed career coaches on-site at food delivery companies on more than 70 occasions, and have organised a curated job fair to assist affected riders with their job search efforts. The food delivery companies have been helpful in disseminating information on these career events to their riders. Affected riders can also tap on various employment facilitation programmes under the Adapt & Grow initiative such as the Place-and-Train Programme, which provide opportunities for jobseekers to be hired and receive training for new jobs.
To date, more than 180 affected riders have approached WSG and NTUC's e2i for job search support. The agencies have been actively engaging affected riders on employment assistance available to them if they wish to switch jobs, though many have not stepped forward for job search assistance. Should they subsequently decide to come forward, we will provide them with the necessary job search support.