10 recommendations to safeguard platform workers' livelihoods & wellbeing: Singapore's Trilateral Group

These will be adopted by all the platform operators (POs) engaged by the Trilateral Group, namely, AmazonFlex, ComfortDelGro Zig, Deliveroo, foodpanda, Gojek, Grab, Lalamove, Ryde, and TADA.

Earlier this year, in July 2025, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the formation of a new trilateral group to address the concerns of platform workers (PWs) and Platform Work Associations (PWAs), in view of the rapidly evolving platform economy. 

This group, comprising MOM, the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Grab Singapore, is also jointly overseen by: 

1. Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, 
2. Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport, 
3. Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Secretary-General, and 
4. Yee Wee Tang, Group Managing Director of Operations, Grab.

Just two months later, on 11 September 2025, this Platform Workers Trilateral Group has released 10 recommendations aimed at safeguarding the livelihoods, safety, and wellbeing of platform workers.

The recommendations are as follows: 

Stamping out illegal undercutting of local PWs

• The Government and Platform Operators (POs) should work together to strengthen enforcement and set stringent punishments for abetting illegal platform work across all platform sectors.
  • POs are to notify MOM if they have reasonable suspicion of PWs allowing foreigners to misuse their platform accounts.
  • MOM will investigate all reports of misuse of accounts. If an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) is established by MOM (e.g. a PW abetted a foreigner to work illegally using his / her account), all POs will debar the PW for a minimum of 24 months.

• The Government will strengthen enforcement against illegal point-to-point (P2P) rides.
  • This will be done through pushing for stronger deterrence, including increasing penalties for violations.
  • The Government will also disrupt matching of illegal P2P services by engaging online platforms to take down apps/channels/advertisements that facilitate illegal matching of rides.
  • The Government also aims to strengthen its' ability to block or remove apps/channels/advertisements on uncooperative platforms facilitating unlicensed P2P trips.

• Food delivery POs will strengthen detection and prevention of illegal activities in the sector.
  • Regular and randomised identity verification checks of PWs and outsourced workers will be conducted. POs with existing identity verification checks should increase the frequency and/or stringency of such checks, within reason.
  • POs that outsource work through automated job allocation via their app should require the outsourcing companies to submit to POs the work pass documentation of foreign workers involved in these jobs.
    • POs should also conduct audits of all outsourced workers. POs should also share the list of outsourced workers with the Government for checks when requested.
  • POs that outsource work through other means should conduct their own due diligence where relevant.

• POs, PWAs and the Government will raise awareness of the dangers of using illegal providers and the consequences of engaging in illegal activities.
• The Government and PWAs will set up dedicated reporting channels for PWs and members of the public to report any foreigners suspected of performing illegal platform work.
  • For reporting illegal ride-hailing services provided by foreign-registered cars, PWs and members of the Public may submit reports on LTA’s OneMotoring website
  • For reporting foreigners performing illegal platform delivery work, PWs and members of the Public may submit reports on MOM’s ‘Report an Infringement’ webpage

• POs, PWAs and the Government should encourage PWs and members of the public to report suspected illegal activities to the Government.
  • PWs and members of public should not take it upon themselves to confront individuals suspected of engaging in illegal P2P services, or foreigners illegally performing food delivery or parcel delivery services, for their own safety and the safety of others.

Establishing practices for fairer and safer platform work

• POs and PWAs should work together to develop a set of industry-wide principles for issues related to payment and/or incentive schemes.
•  POs and PWAs should collectively identify key information to be provided to PWs to better address anxieties around income uncertainty, and schedule regular meetings to discuss key issues.
• PWAs will continue to encourage PWs to prioritise and take care of their health and safety.
• Food delivery POs that outsource jobs will provide more clarity and assurance to PWs on outsourcing practices, and encourage PWs to head to high demand areas.

The Trilateral Group’s recommendations address two key areas of concern raised by PWs:

1. Illegal activities in the platform sector: Unauthorised activities in the form of illegal P2P rides, as well as foreigners using local PWs’ platform accounts to illegally perform platform work. These illegal P2P rides comprise of:
   1. foreign-registered vehicles providing illegal cross-border trips,
   2. foreign-registered vehicles providing P2P trips within Singapore; and
   3. trips (by local or foreign drivers) matched via unlicensed channels (e.g. Telegram chatgroups).
2. To advocate for fairer and safer payment and incentive schemes: Concerns about the lack of transparency in the design of POs payment and incentive structures, which may induce PWs to work long hours and compromise safety in pursuit of uncertain earnings.

The Trilateral Group’s recommendations are based on the following principles:

1. Recommendations should be practicable and sustainable, and retain the advantages of the platform ecosystem;
2. Recommendations should safeguard PWs’ livelihoods, safety and wellbeing; and
3. Recommendations should foster close collaboration between Government, PWAs, POs and PWs to jointly tackle challenges faced by PWs.

Going forward, the recommendations will be adopted by all the POs engaged by the Trilateral Group, and implemented in phases given the varying complexities of the issues.

The POs engaged by the Platform Workers Trilateral Group are AmazonFlex, ComfortDelGro Zig, Deliveroo, foodpanda, Gojek, Grab, Lalamove, Ryde, TADA.

During his opening remarks, SMS Koh shared that the formation of the Trilateral Group was built on the Platform Workers Act to address the concerns raised by the PW community and to safeguard their wellbeing. 

"We initially involved NTUC to represent the PWs, and Grab, as the key player in the local platform economy.

"As discussions progressed, we also invited SNEF and other Platform Operators (POs) to come on board, to ensure we have strong industry commitment to collectively address the challenges faced by PWs."

"The Government, PWAs and POs will work together to take strong action to stamp out illegal activities in the platform work sector. We will continue to uncover foreigners who illegally perform platform work either through enforcement checks, which the Government will carry out based on tipoffs from PWAs and the public, or through reports that the POs will submit to the Government if they do detect such activities on their platforms."

SMS Koh noted that while some recommendations — such as enhancements to the Government’s reporting website — have already been implemented, others will take more time. Nevertheless, the Trilateral Group and all POs remain committed to driving these changes forward expeditiously.

"Supporting the welfare of our PWs is a collective responsibility. By working hand-in-hand, we will be able to do more to safeguard the livelihood, safety and well-being of PWs," he concluded. 

Lead image / MOM Facebook