Gig workers to get housing, retirement adequacy with new bill

If passed, it will take effect on 1 January 2025.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will introduce the "Platform Workers Bill 2024" to enhance protection for ride-hailing drivers and freelance delivery workers, focusing on housing and retirement adequacy, injury compensation, and a legal framework for representation.

Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions from both platform workers and operators will gradually increase over five years by up to 2.5 and 3.5 percentage points per year, respectively. These monthly contributions will go toward workers' ordinary and special MediSave accounts, aiming to ensure the same housing and retirement adequacy as salaried employees.

It will be mandatory for workers born on or after 1 January 1995, whilst older workers can opt-in via the CPF website from November 2024, with the decision being irreversible. Those who do not opt-in will still contribute to CPF MediSave but will not receive the platform operator’s share of CPF contributions.

MOM will also require platform operators to provide Work Injury Compensation (WIC) insurance for platform workers, offering the same coverage as under the Work Injury Compensation Act.

Additionally, the bill introduces a legal framework for workers to organise through Platform Work Associations (PWAs), regulated by MOM-appointed registrars.

If passed, the bill will take effect on 1 January 2025.