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These cover matters such as the process for a platform worker representative body to obtain a mandate to represent the workers and the scope of negotiations.
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has accepted all eight recommendations to enhance representation for platform workers proposed by the Tripartite Workgroup on Representation for Platform Workers.
The eight recommendations covering three different areas are as follows:
Process for a platform worker representative body to obtain a mandate to represent the workers
- A platform worker representative body can obtain a mandate through direct recognition or secret ballot
- All platform workers can vote in a secret ballot, except those who are very new or who are inactive
- Voting will be done electronically and conducted by MOM
- A platform worker representative body obtains the mandate when it has majority support from the workers who voted, subject to a 20% quorum of eligible platform workers
Scope of negotiations and formalising negotiated agreements
- Platform worker representative bodies and platform operators should be given the flexibility to determine areas for negotiation
- Negotiations will be guided by a set of principles agreed by the Tripartite Workgroup
- A collective agreement must be certified at the Industrial Arbitration Court
Resolving disagreements between platform worker representative bodies and platform operators
- Unresolved collective disputes can be surfaced to MOM for conciliation, and if conciliation fails, to the Industrial Arbitration Court for arbitration
For a better understanding, while trade unions usually play the role of representing employees’ interests, platform workers in Singapore are not recognised as employees under the Employment Act. By extension, platform workers cannot form unions to collectively negotiate for their rights. They would therefore not have the same legislative powers as trade unions to represent them, and hence face challenges in resolving disputes and during negotiations for workplace issues pertaining to payment terms, job allocation, health and safety.
As such, as a member of the Tripartite Workgroup (TWG) on Representation for Platform Workers, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has affirmed its belief that the recommendations for platform workers to seek formal representation will be a significant milestone for workers.
According to the organisation, the recommendations also come at a "crucial time" when clarity is sought after in the nascent and fast-evolving nature of platform work. As a start, platform workers can benefit from better protection through officially recognised Associations to represent them. Second, this framework acts as a guide for Associations to negotiate for better work conditions and dispute resolutions.
NTUC elaborated in a media statement: "As a member of TWG, we feel strongly encouraged that the need for better protection for our platform workers has been recognised and that measures are being worked out to address the current gaps. We believe that the new representation framework can provide for a better balance of bargaining power between platform workers and platform operators."
NTUC has been actively advocating to advance the interests of platform workers over the last few years, together with the National Taxi Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association, and National Delivery Champions Association (collectively called Associations), in areas such as long-term financial adequacy, medical and injury coverage.
Calling the acceptance a "significant milestone", Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of NTUC commented: "As what would be the first-in-the-world tripartite collaboration for platform workers, the implementation of this framework paves the way for NTUC and our affiliated associations to officially represent them.
"We seek to work closely with our partners and platform workers, to champion them in the areas of better wages, welfare and work prospects. We want to thank all platform workers who have placed their trust and journeyed with us in making this possible."
National Delivery Champions Association President Goh Yong Wei, National Taxi Association President Raymond Ong Thiam Khoon, and National Private Hire Vehicles Association General Secretary Joseph Goh Say Sing added: “We are glad that the government has accepted the recommendations for representation for platform workers. As platform workers ourselves, we understand the unique struggles that platform workers face in our work.
"With representation, we will have the right to negotiate for our fellow platform workers’ interests. Instead of relying on informal agreements, we will be able to enter into binding agreements with platform operators.
"Platform workers can also look forward to clear processes and rules which will make it easier for us to obtain mandates from platform operators and to negotiate with platform operators on members’ behalf.”
Lead image / Tripartite Workgroup On Representation For Platform Workers Report
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