Singapore's MOM commences parts of Platform Workers Bill ahead of 1 Jan 2025 implementation

From 1 November 2024, platform operators will be able to voluntarily notify the Ministry of Manpower of their status as a Platform Operator; while older platform workers can start to opt in to increased CPF contributions.

From 22 October 2024 onwards (Tuesday), platform operators in Singapore will be able to purchase Work Injury Compensation (WIC) insurance for their Platform Workers.

This is among afew movements the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is making as part of the upcoming Platform Workers Bill, ahead of its implementation on 1 January 2025.

In terms of WIC insurance, the ministry shared that as of 22 October 2024, five insurers have been designated to offer WIC insurance for platform workers: Chubb Insurance Singapore, Etiqa Insurance, Great Eastern General Insurance, Income Insurance, and Singapore Life.

The list of Designated Platform Operator’s Insurers can be found on the MOM website.

Platform operators will be able to purchase WIC insurance for their Platform Workers from these designated insurers. MOM added that insurers that are interested in offering WIC insurance for platform workers can apply with the ministry.

The above aside, MOM has also shared the following parts of the Bill that will soon be in effect from 1 November 2024:

Older platform workers can start to opt in to increased CPF contributions

Platform workers born before 1 January 1995 can choose to opt in to increased CPF contributions. Those who wish to opt in can do so via the CPF website anytime from 1 November 2024. There is no deadline to opt in and the decision cannot be reversed, MOM stated.

The ministry encouraged platform workers to opt in early for a longer runway to benefit from compounding interest and boost their CPF savings, which can be used for housing and retirement needs.

Lower-income platform workers who opt in to increased CPF contributions can receive the enhanced Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS), to offset 100% of their share of increase in CPF Ordinary and Special Account contributions in 2025. They need not apply for PCTS as their eligibility will be assessed automatically.

Before opting in, platform workers will be able to use the Platform Worker CPF Contribution Calculator to estimate their monthly CPF contributions and allocation into Ordinary, Special, and MediSave Accounts. At the same time, the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support Calculator can be used to estimate the amount of support they can receive under the PCTS.

Meanwhile, platform workers who do not opt in will continue to be required to make CPF MediSave contributions, and will not receive the platform operators’ share of CPF contributions.

More details can be found on the CPF Board's website.

Platform operators can voluntarily notify MOM of their status as a Platform Operator

From 1 November 2024, companies that self-assess to be a Platform Operator can voluntarily notify MOM of their status through an online form on MOM website.

The ministry will provide a self-assessment checklist on its website to help companies assess if they are platform operators before they notify MOM.

Companies that notify MOM before 1 January 2025 do not need to notify the ministry again after the Platform Workers Act takes effect on 1 January 2025.

Applicants can apply to register Platform Work Associations for assessment

Effective 1 November 2024, applicants will be able to submit applications to register Platform Work Associations for assessment.

The legal framework for representation will take effect from 1 January 2025. This means registered Platform Work Associations will be able to start seeking recognition to represent Platform Workers through collective bargaining, conciliation, and arbitration.

The new Platform Workers Bill 2024 was passed in Singapore's Parliament on Tuesday (10 September 2024). This Bill seeks to enhance the rights and protections for Platform Workers in three areas — namely housing and retirement adequacy through Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions by both platform operators and workers, financial compensation if they get injured while working, as well as a legal framework for representation.

More details on this Bill and what it entails can in our previous coverage.