Platform workers in Singapore to be protected against injury

To develop work injury compensation policies for platform workers, Singapore has established the Platform Workers Work Injury Compensation Implementation Network.

The network will consider the perspectives of platforms companies and workers, insurers, and tripartite partners when developing policies, such as for claims processing and the reporting of work injuries. Some key operational policy issues the network will address include claims processing in exceptional scenarios where platform workers are injured while at work for more than one platform company at the same time and determining earnings for income loss compensation.

The recommendations for the network were made by the Advisory Committee on Platform Workers last November, and includes making work injury compensation insurance a mandatory provision by platform companies if a worker is injured at work. These recommendations are expected to come into effect in late 2024 at the earliest, reported The Straits Times.

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In announcing the launch of the new network, Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Manpower Minister also highlighted the government’s plans to provide retirement and housing adequacy for platform workers, including making Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions compulsory for platform workers and their respective organisations. The government will roll out these plans in stages, allowing workers aged 30 and above to choose whether to opt-in to the scheme.

CPF is a compulsory comprehensive savings and pension plan for working Singaporeans and permanent residents primarily to fund their retirement, healthcare, and housing needs in Singapore.