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Business Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
New work group to address foreigners doing delivery jobs illegally, unauthorised hitch services
[SINGAPORE] A work group has been formed to tackle the issue of foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally, among other challenges that Singapore's platform workers face, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) announced on Friday (Jul 4). In a press statement, NTUC noted that some foreigners are taking on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts. This is illegal, as platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans. This creates 'unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings,' said NTUC, noting that the matter came to light following feedback to the labour movement and platform worker associations. NTUC further highlighted that while platform operators can outsource delivery jobs to other companies, some foreigners are serving these companies without work permits. This practice is also illegal. NTUC and the platform worker associations will tackle the issue with platform operator Grab, the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Transport. The work group will also look into other challenges that platform workers face, such as illegal hitch services and a lack of income stability. 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 NTUC noted that there are unauthorised ride-hailing services operating through messaging apps, such as Telegram, which affect workers' earnings. 'These illegal services undercut legitimate platform workers' job opportunities, creating unfair competition that affects workers' ability to earn sustainable earnings,' it said. Separately, NTUC flagged that incentive schemes for platform workers inadvertently encourage longer working hours, creating safety issues. In addition, workers face uncertainty in the types of jobs allocated to them by apps, causing them to 'grapple with a lack of income security'. NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng noted that platform workers are vulnerable, and called for them to be 'treated fairly as they make an honest living'.
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Foreigners taking on platform work illegally, NTUC calls for workgroup to look into issue
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NTUC said it had received feedback of such illegal practices through its regular engagements with platform workers. SINGAPORE - The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is looking into a complaint by platform workers that foreigners are illegally doing delivery work here, directly impacting their earnings, said labour chief Ng Chee Meng on July 4. To tackle the issue, the labour movement is calling for a workgroup consisting of the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Transport, Grab Singapore, NTUC and its other affiliated associations. Mr Ng said in a statement: 'Our 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.' NTUC said it had received feedback of such illegal practices through its regular engagements with platform workers. Platform workers contract with platform operators to provide services, primarily in ride-hailing and delivery. Their ranks here include private-hire drivers working for companies like Grab and Gojek, and delivery riders for services like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Deliveroo. 'Some of these foreigners illegally take on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts,' said NTUC. 'This is not allowed, as platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans.' At the same time, while platform operators are allowed to outsource delivery jobs to other companies, which can hire foreigners with work permits, there have also been reports that some foreigners being hired through this route are working without work permits, said NTUC. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Manila's mayor returns to office to face mountains of rubbish Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times 'This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings,' it added.
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Ticket balloting opens for NTUC's NDP celebrations at Marina Bay; nearly 20,000 attendees expected
Ms Natasha Choy (centre, left), co-chairwoman of the NTUC NDP Bay Celebrations organising committee, with rapper Shigga Shay (centre, right) and youth volunteers. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – Close to 20,000 people will celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday at The Promontory @ Marina Bay in 2025, an increase from about 15,000 in 2024. This is because the NTUC National Day Parade (NDP) Bay Celebrations will take place on three days – July 26, Aug 2, and Aug 9 – up from two in 2024. The celebrations will take place alongside the NDP preview shows and the actual NDP at the Padang. The bay celebrations are part of an 'expanded canvas' to mark Singapore's 60th year of independence. Ticket balloting for the event – co-organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the National Day Parade executive committee (NDP Exco) – opened at 5pm on June 20 and will close at 5pm on July 4. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can apply for tickets at Each person can ballot for only two tickets. All attendees will receive an NDP pack. On all three days of celebrations, doors will open at 4pm for attendees, and performances by local artistes like Estelle Fly, Regina Song, Shabir Sulthan and Shazza will begin at 4.15pm. This will be followed by a live broadcast of the NDP preview shows or the actual NDP. During the broadcast, the NTUC symbolic moment will take place, with youth dancers and youth motivators forming a flash mob set with a remix of National Day songs. The night will end with performances by local rapper Shigga Shay and DJ Caden. Ms Natasha Choy, who is the co-chairwoman of the organising committee, said: 'This year, the NTUC NDP Bay celebrations are back, bigger and bolder, as we celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday. 'The theme for our celebrations is 'Majulah SG Youth', and we want to shine the spotlight on ( our young people's) passion and purpose.' In 2025, 24 youth leaders are part of the youth organising committee for the bay celebrations, which will involve more than 1,000 youth volunteers. Shigga, who will headline the show, told the media on June 20 that he will perform a 30-minute set featuring songs that reflect Singapore culture. One of them is his newest track, Peng, which features Singlish lyrics and words used by Singaporeans in their daily lives. 'It's a song that I created for Singapore. It represents everyday sounds and everyday words that we hear, like when you go to a drink stall and order drinks (like) kopi peng and Milo peng,' said the 32-year-old singer, referring to iced coffee and iced Milo. He also performed at the NDP in 2022 and 2023. At the bay, attendees can also enjoy a series of interactive installations created by more than 11,000 participants of NTUC roadshows at 14 institutes of higher learning from April to July. Among the works is Dream Exchange, a phone booth-style installation that plays more than 6,000 greetings recorded by students during the roadshows. Dream Exchange, a phone booth-style installation that plays more than 6,000 greetings recorded by students during the roadshows. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Another installation is a collage of doodles by students, depicting how they view and relate to Singapore. A third installation, titled The Future We Create, is an AI-powered visual showcase generated from words penned by students on their vision of Singapore's future. There will also be an NTUC booth which provides resources for youth to pursue their aspirations. One of these is a career personality quiz, Rise And Grind, which helps youth explore job options that match their personalities. Mr Timothy Lim Zhi Heng, a third-year student at Singapore Polytechnic, is one of the student volunteers who helped create the personality quiz. Mr Timothy Lim Zhi Heng, one of the student volunteers who helped create the career personality quiz Rise And Grind for an NTUC booth. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO The 19-year-old, who is part of the marketing and communications team for the bay celebrations, told The Straits Times that his team helped to proofread the text for the quiz. He also helped to man the Dream Exchange installation at some of the roadshows. 'It was very fulfilling to see our hard work for the past five months come together, seeing the different installations pieced together and being brought to life,' he said. Successful ticket applicants will receive an e-mail from the organisers by July 8. The collection of tickets can be done from July 12 to July 13 and from July 18 to July 20 at the Great World, at the atrium on level one. Those collecting tickets on behalf of successful applicants will need to present the notification e-mail, the applicants' NRIC and their own NRIC. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Union chief Ng Chee Meng declines Cabinet post after backlash over past behaviour, dinner with money launderer Su Haijin
SINGAPORE, May 6 – Newly-elected PAP MP Ng Chee Meng has today apologised after several posts about his past conducts went viral following his Jalan Kayu SMC win in the general election over the weekend. Ng, who is also the National Trades Union Congress secretary-general, said he has asked Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to assign him any position in the government. 'The PM has agreed to consider this. My heart will always be for Singapore and Singaporeans,' he said in a statement here. The response came following online remarks about his conduct at a Ministry of Education dialogue in 2017, and a photo that has surfaced of him with convicted money launderer and Fujian gang member Su Haijin. 'I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better,' he said. This comes as Ng had allegedly reacted angrily to a question from the audience, and that he had asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books. Ng also dismissed the dinner with Su, which he said took place some time back and he had no further interactions with the latter after police investigations and criminal charges were brought against him. 'As the secretary-general of NTUC, it is part of my work to engage with different companies and private-sector leaders. 'These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries,' he said. This follows a statement from the press secretaries of Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat, who said in a joint statement that the ministers do not know Su personally, and do not have any contact with him. Su, a Cypriot national, was among 10 foreigners arrested in a S$3 billion (RM9.8 billion) money laundering case on August 15, 2023. He was sentenced to 14 months' jail in April 2024, after admitting to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges. Another 11 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
CNA
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Labour chief Ng Chee Meng asks PM Wong not to assign him any position in government
SINGAPORE: National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general and Jalan Kayu Member of Parliament (MP) Ng Chee Meng said on Tuesday (May 6) that he has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to assign him any position in government. 'Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as secretary-general of NTUC. The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities,' he said in a statement. 'Hence, I have asked the prime minister not to assign me any position in government. PM has agreed to consider this.' In one of the tightest contests in this year's General Election, Mr Ng clinched victory for the People's Action Party in the Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC) with 51.47 per cent of the vote, beating Workers' Party candidate Andre Low. During a press conference in the early hours of Sunday morning, the prime minister addressed several questions from the media, including one on his potential Cabinet line-up. Mr Wong said that Mr Ng will potentially have a role in his next Cabinet, based on the roles of the nation's labour chiefs in previous Cabinet line-ups. Mr Ng said in his statement on Tuesday afternoon that his heart 'will always be for Singapore and Singaporeans' and that he will continue to serve to the best of his abilities.
