Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Health Koh Poh Koon said Singapore needs a proper, systematic way to handle reports of illegal platform work. Speaking on Thursday (Sep 11) at a press conference by the trilateral group, where 10 recommendations were released to better protect local platform workers, he noted that feedback in the past was often raised in random ways by workers or the public, without a structured system to act on them.
“Previously, these kind of reportings were either by workers in a random manner or by members of the public. We didn’t have a systematic way to do this,” said Dr Koh. He added that before the Platform Workers Act, there was no formal engagement between workers and operators, and associations had no legal powers to represent their members.
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng pointed out that individual cases sometimes “fall through the cracks.” He explained that when there is collective awareness and cooperation, workers, unions and operators can take fair action together.
“We can collaborate with the employers – in this case the platform operators – to really seek out win-win possibilities for the business to be able to thrive in Singapore and for the workers to have a fair way to earn a wage,” he said.
The labour chief also urged platform workers to join the platform work associations, so these groups can collectively represent their interests.
The trilateral group, made up of the Government, platform operators and platform worker associations, released 10 recommendations to strengthen enforcement against illegal platform work.
Among them are banning workers for two years if they allow foreigners to use their accounts illegally, and tougher penalties for illegal point-to-point rides. Online platforms will also be asked to take down apps, channels and ads that enable such activities.
Stronger enforcement and support for workers
Dr Koh said these steps build on the Platform Workers Act, passed in September 2024 and implemented in January 2025.
Since then, NTUC-affiliated groups such as the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Taxi Association (NTA) have gained the legal right to represent workers. They are already recognised by major platforms like Grab, ComfortDelGro Zig, Lalamove, GoGoX, Tada and Smile Ride.
He also noted that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) investigated about 50 cases of potential illegal platform activities each year from January 2023 to mid-2025. With operators now agreeing to report suspicious cases and ban offenders across platforms, loopholes can be closed. A dedicated feedback channel through the NDCA will also make it easier for workers and the public to raise concerns directly to MOM or the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
In fact, the LTA has already acted on several tip-offs provided by the NPHVA, which led to enforcement actions against illegal platform work.
Beyond enforcement, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said the government is reviewing cross-border taxi services with Malaysia, as there is “latent demand” from passengers. Discussions include more boarding points and better app systems, but safeguards will remain to ensure foreign vehicles do not operate illegally in Singapore.
Fairer pay and stronger checks by operators
The trilateral group also urged platform operators and associations to develop fairer payment and incentive principles.
Dr Koh explained that since schemes vary across platforms, discussions are best handled directly between associations and operators, with MOM stepping in as a neutral third party if needed.
Grab’s managing director of operations, Yee Wee Tang, said the company will explain earnings more clearly on its app and consult associations on major changes. “Incentive schemes should not encourage overwork,” he said, adding that Grab will monitor workers’ hours and adjust programmes accordingly.
Grab also conducts nearly a million selfie checks each month and will increase these to curb account misuse.
Foodpanda said only Singaporeans and PRs can register as delivery partners, with strict identity checks enforced daily. Attempts to bypass these safeguards are dealt with through suspension, blacklisting and reporting to MOM.
Meanwhile, Deliveroo said it also relies on daily facial recognition and real-time behavioural monitoring, and plans to increase checks further to stop account-sharing.
