Singapore is set to introduce a new law in 2024 aimed at providing gig economy workers with essential protections for retirement and work-related injuries, Bloomberg has reported.
These workers, often referred to as platform workers, depend on digital platforms such as Grab and Deliveroo to offer services to consumers.
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Singapore Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng was quoted by the publication as saying: “No Singaporean will be left behind, especially vulnerable workers.
“This is a landmark move in employment legislation, and we are one of the first in the world to do so.”
The legislation will not only focus on work injury compensation and retirement fund contributions but will also facilitate collective representation for gig economy workers.
The move follows the acceptance of recommendations from an advisory panel in 2022, which called for platform companies to offer injury protection to their workers.
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By GlobalDataThe government is also looking to launch new initiatives to assist unemployed individuals in re-entering the workforce, further bolstering the country’s social safety nets.
Last month, the European Parliament passed legislation aimed at protecting workers employed by digital platforms, including food delivery providers, drivers and couriers.
The new EU platform workers legislation ensures the correct classification of employment status and addresses bogus self-employment.
The law presumes an employment relationship when certain criteria are met, with the onus on the platform to prove otherwise.
