Singapore Cracks Down on Illegal Workers in Ride-Hailing and Delivery Services

The issue of illegal workers in Singapore’s platform economy has come under scrutiny, with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) calling for stricter regulations to protect local workers. The NTUC has been working closely with the government to address the problem, which is particularly prevalent among ride-hailing and food delivery services. Many of these workers are not registered with the relevant authorities, and are therefore not entitled to the same rights and benefits as local workers. This not only undermines the livelihoods of Singaporean workers but also creates an uneven playing field for businesses. The NTUC has highlighted the case of a group of drivers who were found to be working illegally for a ride-hailing company, and has called for the company to take responsibility for ensuring that its workers are properly registered. The government has also taken steps to crack down on illegal workers, with the Ministry of Manpower conducting regular raids and inspections to identify and prosecute offenders. Despite these efforts, the problem persists, and the NTUC is urging the government to do more to address the issue. One of the key challenges is the lack of regulation in the platform economy, which makes it difficult to track and monitor workers. The NTUC is calling for the introduction of stricter regulations, including the requirement for companies to register their workers with the relevant authorities. This would help to ensure that all workers are entitled to the same rights and benefits, and would prevent companies from exploiting illegal workers. The issue is not just limited to ride-hailing and food delivery services, but also affects other sectors such as construction and manufacturing. The NTUC is working with other stakeholders, including businesses and community groups, to raise awareness about the issue and to promote fair labor practices. The government has also announced plans to introduce new laws and regulations to govern the platform economy, which would help to address the issue of illegal workers. However, the NTUC is urging the government to move quickly to implement these changes, as the problem is ongoing and is causing significant harm to local workers. In addition to the economic impact, the issue of illegal workers also has social implications, as it can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The NTUC is calling for greater public awareness and education about the issue, and is working with community groups to provide support and assistance to affected workers. The issue of illegal workers in the platform economy is complex and multifaceted, and will require a coordinated effort from government, businesses, and community groups to address. The NTUC is committed to working with all stakeholders to promote fair labor practices and to protect the rights of local workers. The government has also emphasized the importance of protecting local workers and promoting fair labor practices, and has announced plans to increase funding for programs that support workers in the platform economy. The NTUC is urging the government to prioritize the issue of illegal workers and to take swift and decisive action to address the problem. The issue is not just limited to Singapore, but is a global problem that requires international cooperation and coordination to address. The NTUC is working with international partners to share best practices and to promote fair labor standards. The issue of illegal workers in the platform economy is a critical one, and requires immediate attention and action from all stakeholders. The NTUC is committed to working tirelessly to promote fair labor practices and to protect the rights of local workers, and is urging the government and businesses to do the same.

Source