How the Platform Workers Act transforms protection for platform riders and drivers in Singapore

Platform workers keep Singapore moving every day, from delivering meals and parcels to ferrying passengers safely across the island.

But for the longest time, these platform workers have been regarded as freelancers or self-employed. Their work comes with risks that are often borne by themselves, such as paying for their own medical needs when they get into an accident.

For the past few years, NTUC and its affiliated platform worker associations have worked closely to strengthen the support, protection and representation available to these workers.

For example, taxi associations were established by NTUC prior to 2010, and the National Taxi Association (NTA) was subsequently formed to garner greater benefits for them at the industry level.

The National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) were also set up in 2016 and 2020 respectively to support private hire drivers and delivery riders.

This push reached a major milestone in 2024 with the passage of the Platform Workers Act, a landmark piece of legislation that provides platform workers with stronger protections and a clearer voice in shaping their future.

Listening to workers and pushing for change

For years, platform workers shared common concerns, such as limited protection in the event of accidents, insufficient retirement savings and disputes with platform operators that were often difficult to resolve.

NTUC worked closely with NTA, NPHVA and NDCA to gather on-the-ground feedback, host dialogue sessions and raise workers' concerns with the Government.

Platform workers’ struggles and experiences have fuelled NTUC’s calls for stronger protections, and these efforts have paid off.

A landmark law for platform workers

In 2024, Parliament passed the Platform Workers Act, granting platform workers several key protections that were previously unavailable. These include:

• Injury compensation, like what full-time employees receive under the Work Injury Compensation Act,
• Mandatory CPF contributions to strengthen housing and retirement adequacy,
• Enhanced representation through Platform Work Associations.

Together, these measures ensure a fairer platform work environment.

Stronger representation for platform workers

Following the law’s enactment, the Government designated NTA, NPHVA and NDCA as official Platform Work Associations. This gives the associations legal standing to represent drivers and riders in negotiations and consultations with platform operators and the Government.

NTUC also took an important next step.

In 2025, NTUC recognised NTA, NPHVA and NDCA as full affiliates – the same recognition it gives to its unions.

The milestone strengthens the collective voice of platform workers on tripartite platforms and gives platform riders and drivers a more influential seat at the table where major decisions are made.

What this means for platform workers

The changes are not just policy updates. They have a real impact on workers' lives.

Platform workers can now count on:

• Better protection when work injuries occur
• Stronger housing adequacy and retirement savings through CPF
• Fairer processes for disputes and deactivations through representation
• A support network that ensures no worker faces challenges alone

Standing together for the road ahead

The passing of the Platform Workers Act marks an important step forward, but it is only the beginning.

NTUC and its affiliated associations have pledged to continue working with platform operators and the Government to ensure that rights and protections keep up with the evolving needs of the platform work industry.

Are you a delivery rider, taxi driver, or private-hire driver? Become a member and start steering your career in the right direction.

National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) for private-hire drivers: nphva@ntuc.org.sg

National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) for delivery workers: ndca@ntuc.org.sg

National Taxi Association (NTA) for taxi drivers: nta@ntuc.org.sg