Singapore mulls mandatory CPF contributions for gig workers

Singapore is considering making it mandatory for employers to make contributions to the Central Provision Fund (CPF) accounts of gig workers. 

The Advisory Committee on Platform Workers is also considering the formation of a union for such workers to represent their concerns in the event of a dispute.

The committee was formed in September last year to look into the challenges faced by gig workers, which include those providing transport and delivery services. It conducted a public consultation exercise, seeking the opinion of these platform workers. 

“More than half of platform workers who responded to our public consultation exercise felt that mandatory CPF contributions to their Special and Ordinary Accounts would be important for their retirement and housing needs,” commented Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Manpower.

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Referencing a survey by the Institute of Policy Studies, Koh highlighted that 84% of such workers were worried about whether they had enough for retirement savings. 

“Clearly, this concern warrants intervention. Failure to do so will result in unmet needs in the future and impose costs on other parts of society,” he added.