Earnings of some platform workers up since clampdown on those doing job illegally: Ng Chee Meng
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng (far left, standing) taking questions during a dialogue session with platform workers on Aug 26.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – Some private-hire drivers and taxi drivers licensed to ferry passengers across the border to Malaysia have seen their earnings go up after a crackdown on those doing the job illegally, labour chief Ng Chee Meng said.
Private-hire drivers are now earning up to 15 per cent more, while taxi drivers offering cross-border ride-hailing services
NTUC said in a statement that stricter enforcement has particularly benefited drivers of premium and larger vehicles operating around key tourist locations such as Gardens by the Bay as well as Changi Airport.
Speaking to the media following a dialogue with about 60 platform workers at Fernvale Community Club on Aug 26, Mr Ng said that based on workers’ feedback, the Government’s moves to address these and other issues that have hurt workers’ livelihoods have worked. While the figures from platform workers are anecdotal, what is more important is that the trend is going in the right direction, Mr Ng said.
“It’s a good outcome, but there are still many things to do to ensure a fair playing field for our (platform workers),” he added, giving the examples of more transparent fare structures – including platform fees, commissions and any additional fees – and fairer incentive schemes.
Workers at the dialogue shared that they lack clear breakdowns of how their earnings are determined, making it difficult to judge whether they are being paid fairly, or to make informed decisions about their work schedules, NTUC said.
Mr Ng’s dialogue with platform workers comes about two months after the Government announced that a work group would be formed to address the problem of foreigners illegally taking on delivery work
NTUC had previously flagged the issue, saying it creates unfair competition for delivery workers.
The work group comprises the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Transport, technology firm Grab and NTUC, of which Mr Ng is secretary-general. It is also tasked with looking into other challenges facing platform workers.
Such workers contract with platform operators to provide services. Their ranks here include private-hire drivers working for companies like Grab and Gojek, and delivery riders for services like GrabFood, foodpanda and Deliveroo.
The Straits Times reported on Aug 18 that three foreigners had been arrested for working illegally
Earlier in August, ST also reported that a total of 136 drivers have been caught
More than 70 vehicles have been impounded, NTUC said in a statement. It added: “This has sent a clear deterrent message to illegal platform workers.”
During the dialogue, platform workers raised concerns such as the uncertainty over how much they can earn, and about how foreigners working for contractors could be taking away delivery jobs made available to them.
Delivery rider Muhd Khairil, 33, said there is “a bit of uncertainty” about how much he will earn each day because the fares and demand are not predictable.
“Sometimes I question whether I am able to earn enough money to put food on the table,” Mr Khairil said. He has been a delivery rider for about three years, after a career in shipping.
He hopes platform operators can be more transparent about how platform workers’ earnings are calculated. “Whatever (amount) we see on the app, we have to either accept it, or… cancel.”
Mr Khairil added: “We should have a little bit more transparency in terms of how the platform operators are paying us.”
Drivers also raised concerns about the provision of illegal carpooling services.
Mr Francis Loo, 60, has been a private-hire driver for about a decade and said he has raised the issue of illegal carpooling before.
In Singapore, carpooling is allowed only through licensed business platforms such as GrabHitch, as well as other licence-exempt business platforms that have fleets of fewer than 800 vehicles.
But informal carpooling services – such as those on Telegram – are “alive and well”, despite the authorities’ efforts, Mr Loo said.
A quick search for “SG Hitch” on Telegram found several active chat groups that connect drivers and passengers, including one group with more than 44,000 members.
“That’s a lot of rides that could have gone to private-hire drivers that would in turn… convert into earnings for the family, put food on the table. So this is one aspect that we should look into,” Mr Loo said.
On all the feedback, Mr Ng said: “(The issues are) wide-ranging and some of these are complex. (We will)... discuss this seriously with both the Government and also, of course, the companies.”
