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CNA
14-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Platform Workers Trilateral Group to submit recommendations on fair competition concerns by end of 2025
SINGAPORE: A trilateral group looking into the issue of foreigners taking on delivery jobs in Singapore illegally is aiming to submit its recommendations by the end of the year, said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon on Monday (Jul 14). Announced earlier this month, the Platform Workers Trilateral Group comprises the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Grab Singapore, who will work with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated associations to tackle this and other issues affecting platform workers. Meeting for the first time on Monday, the group agreed on two areas to focus on, said Mr Koh in a Facebook post. First, it will consider how to address platform workers' concerns about fair competition stemming from "outsourcing practices and unauthorised activities" in the sector. These include foreigners illegally using platform accounts or taking on delivery jobs without valid work passes, as well as the provision of illegal hitch services, said Mr Koh. Second, the group "will work with platform operators to establish fair and safe principles for payment and incentives schemes". "We look forward to having further robust discussions on how we can work together to address challenges faced by platform workers and safeguard their well-being," said Mr Koh. In a Facebook post on Monday, Grab said: "Our goal as a trilateral group is to co-create solutions and industry best practices to protect the livelihoods of platform workers and safeguard their well-being, especially against unlicensed workers and services." In announcing the group's formation, NTUC had said that "urgent action" was needed to address the issue of foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally as it creates unfair competition for delivery workers and has a direct impact on their earnings. The group is being overseen by Mr Koh, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and Grab group managing director of operations Yee Wee Tang. MOM and MOT also said in a joint statement earlier that the group will collectively address the challenges faced by platform workers and safeguard their well-being in a rapidly evolving economy. The ministries added that they were looking to bring other platform operators into the group's discussions subsequently.
CNA
04-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Trilateral workgroup to address issue of foreigners illegally doing delivery jobs
SINGAPORE: A trilateral workgroup is being formed to address the issue of foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said on Friday (Jul 4). "Urgent action" is needed as this creates unfair competition for delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings, NTUC said. The workgroup will involve Grab Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Transport, who will work with NTUC and its affiliated associations. Following the Platform Workers Act being passed in September 2024, NTUC and its affiliated platform work associations have continued to advocate for platform workers on a variety of platforms, the union said. Issues raised include concerns about certainty in platform workers' earnings, safety concerns, as well as competition from illegal hitch service providers, NTUC said. It noted that it has received feedback that some delivery jobs are being performed by foreigners illegally. 'Some of these foreigners illegally take on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts,' NTUC said. It also noted reports of some foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally without work permits. 'This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings.' Concerns about the illegal use of delivery accounts have been raised previously. In 2023, CNA found multiple listings on online marketplace Carousell advertising Deliveroo and foodpanda rider accounts for sale. Platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans, the union said on Friday. Platform operators can outsource delivery jobs to companies who hire foreigners, but these foreign workers will need have work permits. The issue of illegal competition comes on top of other challenges that platform workers already face, NTUC said. For example, platform workers may face issues related to income stability and assurance. These platform workers can be subjected to incentive schemes that encourage longer working hours, which can lead to safety issues, NTUC said. The type of jobs allocated to them on platform apps is also uncertain, which lead to a lack of clarity on their earnings. This can cause them to grapple with a lack of income security, the union said. It also noted the issue of illegal hitch services, such as unauthorised ride-hailing services operating through messaging apps like Telegram which directly impact workers' earnings. 'These illegal services undercut legitimate platform workers' job opportunities, creating unfair competition that affects workers' ability to earn sustainable earnings,' NTUC said. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said that platform workers are vulnerable as they face a variety of challenges in making a living. 'It is not right that they suffer from reduced earnings due to competition from illegal workers,' Mr Ng said. 'That is why I am calling for a trilateral workgroup to address this issue and other challenges that our platform workers face. Our platform workers must be treated fairly as they make an honest living.'
Business Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Grab appoints Alejandro Osorio as new managing director for Singapore
[SINGAPORE] Ride-hail and delivery giant Grab announced on Monday (May 5) that Alejandro Osorio has been appointed as managing director (MD) of Grab Singapore. Osorio currently leads the Grab Vietnam team. In his place, Ma Tuan Trong, presently the company's country commercial head in Vietnam, will assume Osorio's role of MD for Grab's Vietnam office. The appointments will take effect on July 1. Osorio will be involved in the company's 'next phase of growth in Singapore', by scaling the new GrabCab taxi business to improve transport accessibility and convenience, integrating dining platform Chope's capabilities for a unified food experience, and leveraging GrabFin and GXS Bank to develop innovative financial products for Grab's users and partners. 'Singapore's openness to new ideas and commitment to public-private collaboration have given Grab invaluable opportunities to co-create industry-first solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives. That spirit of innovation is what draws me back to Singapore,' said Osorio in a media statement. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up As for Trong, he has nearly seven years at Grab holding leadership positions in marketing, deliveries and commericals divisions within the Vietnam team. He has contributed to establishing and scaling Grab's food delivery businesses from its inception to its current market position, while driving growth in the adoption of Grab's grocery and parcel delivery, omnicommerce, advertising and corporate solutions among users and partners. Both Alejandro and Trong will report directly to Yee Wee Tang, who is himself transitioning to an expanded regional role as group managing director of operations. 'Osorio's expertise in leading diverse markets will introduce fresh strategies in Singapore, while Trong's capabilities in scaling businesses will deepen our reach within Vietnamese communities. Under their leadership, we are confident that we will continue to deliver exceptional value to our users and partners,' said Yee. In his expanded capacity, Yee will oversee multiple countries ensuring strategic alignment across operations, as well as manage platform safety and driver and merchant operations regionally.
