Starting November 1, companies in Singapore identifying as platform operators can begin notifying the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as the government initiates portions of the Platform Workers Bill ahead of its full rollout in 2025.
To support this, MOM will provide a self-assessment checklist on its website, allowing companies to determine if they qualify as platform operators before formally notifying MOM.
“From November 1, 2024, companies that self-assess as Platform Operators can voluntarily notify MOM of their status through an online form on the MOM website,” MOM announced. “Companies that notify MOM before January 1, 2025, will not need to re-notify after the Platform Workers Act is in effect on January 1, 2025.”
The self-assessment and notification process is one of several preliminary steps in implementing the Platform Workers Bill, which takes full effect on January 1, 2025.
Opting into Increased CPF Contributions
Beginning in November, platform workers born before 1995 can also opt in for increased Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.
“Platform Workers wishing to opt in can do so via the CPF website from November 1, 2024. This decision has no deadline and is irreversible,” MOM said.
MOM encourages early opt-in to maximize benefits from compounding interest, helping platform workers increase their CPF savings for housing and retirement. A Platform Worker CPF Contribution Calculator will be available for workers to estimate monthly contributions before opting in.
“Lower-income Platform Workers who opt in will receive enhanced Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS), covering 100% of their share of increased contributions for the Ordinary and Special Accounts in 2025,” MOM added, noting that eligible workers will be automatically assessed for PCTS.
Those who do not opt in will remain obligated to make CPF MediSave contributions but will not receive contributions from Platform Operators.
Registering Platform Work Associations
Starting November, applicants can also begin submitting applications to register Platform Work Associations, which, starting in January 2025, will be able to seek official recognition. Recognized associations will represent platform workers in collective bargaining, conciliation, and arbitration.
Key Areas of Platform Workers Bill Implementation
These early stages of the Platform Workers Bill aim to establish:
- Financial protection in the event of work-related injury
- Improved housing and retirement support through CPF contributions
- Enhanced representation for platform workers through recognized associations
Platform operators in Singapore can now purchase Work Injury Compensation (WIC) insurance for their workers from five designated insurers, while additional insurers interested in offering WIC insurance for platform workers may apply to MOM.