SINGAPORE – The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is raising alarms about foreign workers allegedly engaging in illegal delivery jobs, a situation that threatens the livelihoods of local platform workers. Labour Chief Ng Chee Meng emphasized these concerns in a recent statement, revealing that complaints have been surfacing among the platform workforce.

To combat this pressing issue, NTUC is rallying a work group that will include representatives from key governmental bodies like the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Transport, in addition to major ride-hailing and delivery platforms such as Grab Singapore.

"Our platform workers are in a vulnerable position, already grappling with numerous challenges to earn a decent living. It is fundamentally unfair for them to face reduced earnings due to the influx of illegal competitors," Mr. Ng stated.

During a Facebook engagement session with platform workers, Mr. Ng pledged to establish a senior-level task force aimed specifically at finding equitable solutions for local delivery personnel, working closely alongside Grab and other relevant stakeholders.

Feedback from platform workers has highlighted that some foreigners have been exploiting their accounts to undertake delivery jobs, a practice that goes against regulations that reserve such work for Singaporeans. NTUC further reported instances of foreigners circumventing the law by working without the necessary permits.

This issue compounds the already existing challenges faced by platform laborers, who endure income instability due to unpredictable job allocations dictated by algorithms. Moreover, the pressure from incentive schemes often leads them to work longer hours, raising safety concerns.

The rise of unauthorized ride-hailing services, particularly those operating on messaging platforms like Telegram, is further eroding the earnings of local drivers and delivery workers.

Mr. Ng noted that NTUC and various associations, including the National Delivery Champions Association and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association, have made strides in advocating for the rights of platform workers, most notably through the recently implemented Platform Workers Act. This legislation mandates operators to offer work injury compensation insurance and contribute more to the Central Provident Fund.

However, Mr. Ng insists that urgent actions need to be taken. "These persistent challenges hinder platform workers from securing a stable income, impacting their ability to support themselves and their families effectively," he concluded.