Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has found no evidence that accidents involving platform workers were caused by excessive working hours or workers rushing to complete jobs for monetary incentives.
In a written parliamentary answer on September 10, Acting Minister for Manpower said MOM’s investigations into accidents involving platform workers had not found evidence that overwork or pressure to complete jobs quickly contributed to the incidents.
The response came after MP Yeo Wan Ling asked whether the ministry had studied platform incentive structures that could encourage workers to work excessively long hours or rush jobs in ways that could compromise safety.
Platform operators urged to avoid time-based incentives
Singapore’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Platform Services states that platform operators should not impose limits, penalties or bonus incentives that encourage workers to complete jobs within a specified time.
The code also makes clear that platform workers should not compromise safety in pursuit of monetary incentives.
The guidance was developed by MOM in collaboration with platform operators and the labour movement as Singapore strengthens protections for platform workers.
Safety workgroup examining new measures
Separately, MOM said it has not conducted studies to determine whether new delivery riders face a higher risk of safety incidents.
However, the Platform Worker Safety Workgroup is examining measures to improve safety for both new and existing platform workers. Its work includes safety training, support for safer driving and riding behaviours, safety technology, and better collection and analysis of safety data.
The workgroup is expected to complete its work by the end of 2026. The responses point to a broader focus on how platform work can balance productivity and earnings incentives with worker safety, while highlighting the need for stronger data on risk patterns among different groups of platform workers.