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Trilateral workgroup to address issue of foreigners illegally doing delivery jobs

LaksaNews

Myth
Member
SINGAPORE: A trilateral workgroup is being formed to address the issue of foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said on Friday (Jul 4).

"Urgent action" is needed as this creates unfair competition for delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings, NTUC said.

The workgroup will involve Grab Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Transport, who will work with NTUC and its affiliated associations.

Following the Platform Workers Act being passed in September 2024, NTUC and its affiliated platform work associations have continued to advocate for platform workers on a variety of platforms, the union said.

Issues raised include concerns about certainty in platform workers’ earnings, safety concerns, as well as competition from illegal hitch service providers, NTUC said.

It noted that it has received feedback that some delivery jobs are being performed by foreigners illegally.

“Some of these foreigners illegally take on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts,” NTUC said.

It also noted reports of some foreigners performing delivery jobs illegally without work permits.

“This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings.”

Concerns about the illegal use of delivery accounts have been raised previously. In 2023, CNA found multiple listings on online marketplace Carousell advertising Deliveroo and foodpanda rider accounts for sale.

Platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans, the union said on Friday.

Platform operators can outsource delivery jobs to companies who hire foreigners, but these foreign workers will need have work permits.

The issue of illegal competition comes on top of other challenges that platform workers already face, NTUC said.

For example, platform workers may face issues related to income stability and assurance.

These platform workers can be subjected to incentive schemes that encourage longer working hours, which can lead to safety issues, NTUC said.

The type of jobs allocated to them on platform apps is also uncertain, which lead to a lack of clarity on their earnings.

This can cause them to grapple with a lack of income security, the union said.

It also noted the issue of illegal hitch services, such as unauthorised ride-hailing services operating through messaging apps like Telegram which directly impact workers’ earnings.

“These illegal services undercut legitimate platform workers' job opportunities, creating unfair competition that affects workers' ability to earn sustainable earnings,” NTUC said.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said that platform workers are vulnerable as they face a variety of challenges in making a living.

“It is not right that they suffer from reduced earnings due to competition from illegal workers,” Mr Ng said.

“That is why I am calling for a trilateral workgroup to address this issue and other challenges that our platform workers face. Our platform workers must be treated fairly as they make an honest living.”

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