MOM commences certain processes following partial commencement of Platform Workers Act 2024

28 November 2024

On 15 October 2024 and 1 November 2024, some provisions of the Platform Workers Act 2024 (“Act”) relating to work injury compensation, contributions to the Central Provident Fund (“CPF”), and platform work associations came into force. On 22 October 2024, the Ministry for Manpower (“MOM”) announced that it would commence certain processes for platform workers ahead of the protections under the Platform Workers Act 2024 (“Act”) being implemented on 1 January 2025:

  • Platform operators can purchase work injury compensation insurance for platform workers: As of 22 October 2024, five insurers have been designated to offer work injury compensation (“WIC”) insurance for platform workers. Platform operators can purchase WIC insurance for their platform workers from these designated insurers. Insurers that are interested in offering WIC insurance for platform workers can apply to MOM.
  • Platform operators can voluntarily notify MOM of their status as a platform operator: From 1 November 2024, companies that self-assess to be a platform operator can voluntarily notify MOM of their status through an online form on the MOM website. MOM will provide a self-assessment checklist on its website to help companies assess if they are platform operators before they notify MOM. Companies that notify MOM before 1 January 2025 do not need to notify MOM again after the Platform Workers Act 2024 takes effect on 1 January 2025.
  • Older platform workers can start to opt in to increased CPF contributions: Platform workers born before 1 January 1995 can choose to opt in to increased CPF contributions. Platform workers who wish to opt in can do so via the CPF website anytime from 1 November 2024. There is no deadline to opt in and the decision cannot be reversed. MOM encourages platform workers to opt in early for a longer runway to benefit from compounding interest and boost their CPF savings, which can be used for housing and retirement needs.

Lower-income platform workers who opt in to increased CPF contributions can receive the enhanced Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (“PCTS”) to offset 100% of their share of increase in CPF Ordinary and Special Account contributions in 2025. Platform workers need not apply for PCTS as their eligibility will be assessed automatically.

Platform workers who do not opt in will continue to be required to make CPF MediSave contributions, and will not receive the platform operators’ share of CPF contributions.

  • Applicants can apply to register platform work associations: From 1 November 2024, applicants can submit applications to register platform work associations for assessment. From 1 January 2025, the legal framework for representation will take effect. This means registered platform work associations can start seeking recognition to represent platform workers through collective bargaining, conciliation, and arbitration.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the Singapore Statutes Online website sso.agc.gov.sg, MOM website www.mom.gov.sg, and CPF Board (“CPFB”) website www.cpf.gov.sg: