Latest news with #deliveryjobs
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.
Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore govt, NTUC and Grab form work group to address illegal foreign delivery riders
SINGAPORE, July 5 — Singapore has formed a trilateral work group to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on delivery jobs on platforms and affecting local platform workers' earnings. The Straits Times reported that the work group includes the Ministry of Manpower (MoM), Ministry of Transport (MoT), Grab Singapore, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated associations. '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,' said NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng. MoM and MoT said in a joint statement on July 4 that the group will be overseen by Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Sun Xueling, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and Grab's group managing director of operations Yee Wee Tang. Ng had called on the government on July 4 to form such a work group to address issues impacting platform workers, who contract with platform operators mainly for ride hailing and delivery work. Platform workers in Singapore include private-hire drivers for companies like Grab and Gojek, and delivery riders for services like GrabFood, foodpanda and Deliveroo. NTUC said it had received feedback about foreigners misusing accounts to take on delivery jobs illegally, despite platform work being restricted to Singaporeans. The union noted that while platform operators can outsource delivery jobs to companies that may hire foreigners with work permits, there have been cases of foreigners working illegally without permits. 'This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings,' NTUC said. NTUC added that platform workers already face challenges such as income instability, driven by uncertainty over job allocation and earnings determined by algorithms. The labour movement said platform companies' incentive schemes encourage longer working hours, which can lead to safety concerns. It also noted that unauthorised ride-hailing services on platforms like Telegram have reduced the earnings of private-hire drivers in the past year. MoM and MoT said the group will collectively address these challenges and safeguard workers' well-being amid the rapidly evolving platform economy. The ministries said Grab's participation sends a strong signal of platform operators' commitment to collaborate with the government and NTUC to address these issues. They added that discussions may later include other platform operators. A Grab spokesman said the company is committed to working with the government, NTUC and other platform operators to stamp out illegal delivery services and protect platform workers' livelihoods. Grab said it has measures in place to prevent foreigners from registering as platform workers and will work within the group to co-develop best practices. The ministries said the group will serve as a regular platform for the government to support efforts that may require regulatory action. In a Facebook post, Ng said NTUC and its associations have championed the rights of platform workers through the Platform Workers Act, which came into effect in 2025. Ng added that more must be done quickly as challenges such as foreigners illegally doing delivery jobs make it harder for platform workers to earn a stable income.
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.'
Reuters
05-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Amazon prepares to test humanoid robots for package deliveries, The Information reports
June 4 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab is developing software for humanoid robots that could eventually take the jobs of delivery workers, The Information reported on Wednesday. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report.
