The Platform Workers Bill (“Bill“) was passed in Parliament on 10 September 2024 to provide platform workers with protections in three areas: (i) housing and retirement adequacy through Central Provident Fund (“CPF“) contributions; (ii) compensation for work injuries; and (iii) a legal framework for representation. The Bill will also impose several regulatory requirements on platform operators.
On 22 October 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM“) announced the partial commencement of the Bill from 1 November 2024 in relation to:
- Enabling platform operators to voluntarily notify MOM of their status;
- Allowing older platform workers (“PWs“) to opt into increased CPF contributions; and
- Allowing applications for registration as a platform work association (“PWA“); and
- As of 22 October 2024, enabling platform operators to purchase work injury compensation (“WIC“) insurance.
The details of the above are as follows:
- Notification of status as platform operator. From 1 November 2024, companies that self-assess to be platform operators may voluntarily notify MOM of their status via the MOM website. They will not need to notify MOM again after the Platform Workers Act takes effect on 1 January 2025.
A self-assessment checklist will be provided on the MOM website as a self-help resource. However, legal advice should be sought if there is any uncertainty as to whether a company is a platform operator.
- Registration as PWA. From 1 November 2024, applicants can submit applications to register PWAs for assessment. Once the legal framework for representation takes effect on 1 January 2025, registered PWAs can start seeking recognition to represent PWs.
- CPF opt-in. From 1 November 2024, older PWs (i.e. those born before 1 January 1995) can choose to opt in to increased CPF contributions. There is no deadline to opt in, and the decision cannot be reversed.
- WIC insurance. Platform operators may now purchase WIC insurance for PWs from the five designated insurers listed on the MOM website here. Insurers interested in offering WIC insurance for PWs may apply to MOM.
Should you have any queries about the details of these regulatory requirements, the implications of the Platform Workers Bill, and how best to prepare for the changing regulatory landscape, please feel free to contact Rajah & Tann’s Employment team.
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