Navigating Career Journeys: How Platform Work Associations provide essential support for workers

Are you a cab driver, private-hire driver or delivery worker who uses the Grab app to get bookings?

You may have read about NTUC-affiliated National Taxi Association (NTA) becoming the latest Platform Work Association (PWA) to be recognised by Grab Singapore to represent taxi drivers on its platform formally.

On 17 November 2025, the association joined the NTUC-affiliated National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) in championing Grab’s platform workers’ interests.

With NTA on board, the three associations will now represent all of Grab’s platform workers—private vehicle drivers, delivery personnel, and now cabbies.

While association representation and Grab recognition sounds well and good, what does it truly mean for you? How will it impact your everyday life?

Shaping platform worker policies in the Labour Movement

At the NTUC Ordinary Delegates’ Conference on 14 November 2025, PWAs received a strong mandate from union delegates to be recognised as full affiliates of NTUC.

This means PWAs will have a voice within the Labour Movement’s leadership and voting rights for NTUC Central Committee (CC) leaders. The NTUC CC is the highest planning, policy-making, and executive body of the congress.

Once the Registrar of Trade Union accepts the proposal, PWA representation can help shape platform worker policies within the Labour Movement’s strategy and support NTUC’s long-term vision.

Additionally, the associations will also have the full backing of the Labour Movement, paving the way for stronger partnerships with NTUC-affiliated unions, impact businesses, and organisations, which could lead to positive work outcomes for platform workers.

What it means for workers: A more powerful voice within the Labour Movement to champion better wages, welfare and work prospects for you in the years to come.

The three association leaders (NDCA Executive Secretary Andy Ang in green; NPHVA Executive Secretary Raven Lee, second row, second from right; and NTA Executive Secretary Teo Siew Pan, second row, in white), union delegates and NTUC staff join NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng (first row, extreme right) and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling (first row, second from right), at the NTUC Ordinary Delegates’ Conference.

Addressing concerns and grievances through negotiations

Most trade or professional associations offer their members benefits like training, certification, and networking events.

Where the NTUC PWAs really make a difference for members is in addressing pressing work concerns and resolving grievances, just like a trade union.

While the associations have been assisting members since their formation, the main change with formal recognition is this: Platform operators are now obliged to address concerns and grievance, rather than viewing associations’ requests as a matter of goodwill.

NPHVA Executive Secretary Raven Lee, who has experience negotiating with traditional unions, shared that his association is exploring adapting union practices into the platform worker space.

One of the practices under development is what he calls a “disciplinary matrix” to protect workers with disciplinary problems. Mr Lee cited the example of a private-hire driver with service lapses, who should be given warnings and counselling before their licence is suspended. He said this practice aligns with a traditional employee-employer negotiations.

Also in the works for NPHVA is the establishment of a more structured grievance-handling process within the platform organisation. Mr Lee said that a more coordinated approach could better protect workers than the current, informal approach of drivers raising issues on an ad hoc basis.

Meanwhile, NTA is employing the strategy of building on existing operator-run benefits schemes to support workers.

“The core priorities would include transparency on fare structure, information sharing, safety, welfare, and working conditions,” NTA Executive Secretary Teo Siew Pan shared.

As NTA works towards establishing collective agreements (CA) with the respective taxi operators, Ms Teo said that the association is looking at adopting certain relevant clauses used in union settings, while exploring more job-relevant issues.

“Certain clauses in traditional CAs, such as the grievance handling procedure, termination notice, leave benefits, medical benefits, long service awards, and training, would still be relevant to platform workers. However, we will also negotiate for other benefits, such as vomit cleaning fee, vehicle temporary return scheme, insurance, and so on,” she explained.

NTA has also established branch committees within ComfortDelgro and TransCab, and is now working to form one for Grab. Similar to a traditional trade union setup, each branch committee consists of members who use a platform operator’s services and are appointed to raise ground-level issues to the association.

“We will have regular meetings with each platform operator to discuss and address issues affecting the members. We will also have more engagement sessions with the drivers to share the latest developments in the sectors and listen to their concerns and feedback,” Ms Teo added.

Both NPHVA and NTA also noted that since the representation was formalised, discussions with the operators have been more structured, with regular information sharing to ensure that the associations are involved in the formulation and implementation of policies affecting drivers.

NPHVA-TADA Branch holds its first meeting with TADA management on 1 September 2025 to discuss issues like passenger no-show, compensation, and cancellation policies.

Meanwhile, NDCA has also been busy forming branch committees with delivery worker leaders. Within NDCA today, branch committees hold regular meetings with platform operators to discuss issues affecting members’ lives.

“The platforms are also more willing to share [behind] closed doors the rationale of their business workings with us,” NDCA Executive Secretary Andy Ang shared.

Additionally, the delivery worker association has successfully handled many individual grievance cases, particularly around account suspensions.

“We have managed to bring light to genuine cases that we should intervene. The other platforms have also leaned in to give riders chances or sometimes the refund that they so deserve,” he said.

What this means for workers: You have a team of dedicated individuals helping to address your problems and grievances, so you can focus on earning a living.

Having a dedicated voice in Parliament to raise issues

Unlike regular associations, NTUC-affiliated PWAs have the power to speak up for their members, other platform workers, and the platform operators in Parliament.

Since taxi associations were formed in 1997, cabbies' representation has evolved to include platform workers, with the NPHVA representing private vehicle drivers and the NDCA representing delivery workers.

Consequently, the voices in Parliament have grown louder in the past 10 years. Several NTUC Members of Parliament have raised concerns and challenges faced by this group of workers, urging the Government to address these issues on the national stage.

Notable voices include former Ang Mo Kio GRC MPs Seng Han Thong and Ang Hin Kee, and more recently, NTUC Assistant Secretaries-General Yeo Wan Ling and Melvin Yong.

In recent years, Ms Yeo has been calling out the problems of illegal foreign ride-hail drivers and delivery workers, as well as the uncertainty around earnings. Meanwhile, Mr Yong has been urging the extension of work-injury compensation and improvements in safety training and practices.

One of the Labour MPs’ biggest achievements for platform workers in the past decade is the enactment of the Platform Workers Act in January this year.

Under the landmark law, platform workers now receive financial support for work-related injuries through the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), enhanced retirement and housing adequacy through CPF contributions, and stronger advocacy with union-like representation through the PWAs.

What this means for workers: There is a high chance that your issues and grievances will be heard on the national stage, and be addressed by the Government in one way or another.

Ensuring better protection through the Trilateral Group

The Platform Workers Trilateral Group comprising representatives from NTUC, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Transport, and Grab Singapore and the Government recently announced 10 comprehensive recommendations to protect workers.

Key among the recommendations are measures to tackle the hot-button issue of foreigners working illegally on platforms. Based on the proposals, platform operators must report suspected account misuse to MOM, and offenders found guilty will face a 24-month cross-platform work ban.

The Government will also strengthen penalties for illegal ride-hailing—potentially higher fines, longer jail terms, and even barring foreign vehicles or drivers involved in illegal services from entering Singapore. Illegal ride-matching apps and channels will be blocked or removed, and platforms will conduct more frequent identity checks. Safe reporting channels for workers and the public have been introduced.

Another major bugbear for platform workers is the uncertainty and unpredictability of earnings. Through the recommendations, platform operators and PWAs have agreed on three key principles to ensure fairer, safer earnings.

First, earnings must be transparent, and incentives should supplement—not dominate—overall income. Second, platforms must consult PWAs before making major changes to incentive structures that affect worker earnings. Third, incentive schemes must follow health and safety guidelines and cannot pressure workers into unsafe or excessive working hours. These changes aim to provide workers with clearer information, stability, and better assurance of fair pay.

What this means for workers: Prompt resolving of key issues affecting your earnings, so you can look forward to earning fairer incomes to support yourself and your loved ones.

Perks and benefits for members beyond protection

As an NTUC PWA member, you can access a range of NTUC support schemes designed to enhance your career, help you navigate difficult times, and provide for your children’s educational needs.

Relief schemes

Whether it is a work injury, high cost of living or a family crisis, members can apply for a range of schemes to ease their burden and get back on their feet.

NTUC Work Injury Relief Scheme: Specially designed for platform workers who get injured at work, members can apply for $250 FairPrice grocery vouchers if given five or more days of medical leave.

After injuring himself on the job in November 2025, delivery rider Mr T was forced to take a work break and received $250 in FairPrice vouchers through the scheme to support his recovery.

“I really appreciate how fast everything was handled. It made a real difference while I was healing. I hope more riders will join NDCA—the support really helps during tough times,” he said.

NDCA distributes the $250 FairPrice vouchers to Mr T to help defray his daily expenses while he recovers.

CapitaLand-U Care Resilience & Enablement Fund (CAP+Ure Fund): Low-to-medium-income members affected by a sudden loss of income can receive a one-time payout of $250 FairPrice vouchers for daily necessities and schooling needs.

NTUC GIFT: Families of PWA members aged 65 and below can receive payouts of up to $40,000 through this group insurance policy in the event of a member’s death or total/partial permanent disability. Families of affected association leaders can receive double the sum assured.

NTUC Care (U Stretch): Members can receive up to $120 in e-vouchers to spend on daily necessities, helping ease the cost-of-living burden.

NTUC Hardship Grant: Members can apply for this one-off $1,000 cash grant to help navigate difficult personal crises unrelated to work accidents, including serious illness, disability, or fire/flood damage.

NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance): Members can apply for this one-time cash relief of $60-$150 to help with basics like groceries, transportation, and utilities.

Help for children’s education needs

Guided by NTUC’s belief that a child’s education should never be compromised, PWA members can tap into schemes that allow their children to continue studying, regardless of the challenges they face.

NTUC Care Fund (Youth Enable): Members facing crises can receive continued financial support for their children to carry on their full-time studies at local ITEs, polytechnics, or universities. Amount varies from $2,000-$4,000 annually, based on the child’s tertiary level.

NTUC Care (Education Awards) for Tertiary: Lower-income members can tap into this scheme to encourage their children enrolled in ITE, polytechnic, or local universities to pursue their dreams. Support ranges from $400-600, depending on the child’s tertiary level.

Caregiver support

Balancing work and caregiving is no easy feat. Caregiver members with special needs can access NTUC’s specially curated financial support schemes to get help for basic to specialised requirements.

NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) for Single Caregivers: Members receive targeted help to cover caregiving-related expenses for dependents at different life stages. Amount varies based on the dependent’s age and needs.

NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs: Members can receive assistance with costs for education, therapy, and daily care needs for up to $1,000 per eligible special needs child.

Upskilling to stay ahead

Members can take advantage of the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) to acquire new skills that will help them thrive in the evolving job market, especially if they plan to re-enter the mainstream workforce. Members can receive up to 50 per cent funding for UTAP courses, capped at $250 per year. Those aged 40 and above can receive up to $500 in additional funding support.

Not an NTUC PWA member yet? Join today:

• Delivery workers: National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)
• Private-hire drivers: National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA)
• Taxi drivers: National Taxi Association (NTA)