See Jinli Jean
Singapore
“Chairman, I have two clarifications for the Minister of State and one clarification for the Senior Minister of State. To Minister of State, I would like to ask: how does MCCY plan to encourage more companies to come on board the company of Good Recognition System, and also whether MCCY has plans to actually work with the MyCareersFuture S…”
“The enhanced company of good recognition system recognises organisations for demonstrating commitment to corporate purpose and making impact in the areas of people, society, governance, environment and economy.”
“Madam, freelancers are often stressed by financial precarity due to fluctuating demand, client cancellation and payment delay. Some shared that freelance work could increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. Could MCCY provide an update on its efforts under the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy in respect of freelancers?”
“To reinforce workforce transformation alongside business transformation, would MOM work with economic agencies to guide companies seeking Government grants to also commit to workforce outcomes such as job redesign to raise job worth, training for lower-skilled workforce and programmes to develop Singaporean talent?”
“Freelancers lack access to training and development opportunities that are typically provided for traditional employees by employers. Given that freelancer-dominated sectors, such as arts and culture, media and design, rank among the world's fastest growing and rapidly transforming sectors, it is pressing and critical for the Government t…”
“The Minister had mentioned that the Government is closely monitoring the trend in use of AI to ensure that guidelines and regulations are adequate to protect the workforce. Could MOM provide an update?”
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“The Minister's response to the question provided the following guidance, "Self-employed persons and service buyers are encouraged to negotiate contracts that are mutually favourable, including providing for scenarios where a party is unable to fulfil the contract, such as pregnancy." Parties can take reference from the Tripartite Standard on contracting with self-employed persons and any disputes can be brought to the Small Claims Tribunal. In this regard, would MSF consider working with MOM and Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP), to state upfront, in the Tripartite Standard on contracting with self-employed persons, that a service buyer should consider substitution options than to terminate the contract of a freelancer who must absent herself due to pregnancy and/or childbirth? Could I also seek assurance from the Government that should a freelancer approach TAFEP and/or the Small Claims Tribunal about losing a contract or contracted gig after disclosing her pregnancy status to the client, the authorities would not condone such pregnancy discrimination? On the operational aspect of the CDCA, given that the birth of a child is accompanied by many expenses, could MSF consider paying out the GPML amount to eligible freelancers when the maternity leave commences and not after the ninth week of the maternity leave period? I would also like to seek clarification on the amendment where workers with multiple employment arrangements would be reimbursed on a per-parent basis instead of per-employment basis. How would this amendment be implemented for persons who are both employees and self-employed?”
“Mr Speaker, the passing of this Bill would set in motion enhancements to shared parental leave and paternity leave schemes. Together with maternity leave, a couple who welcomes a baby in 2026 can benefit from 30 weeks of paid leave in total. These enhancements that include the doubling of mandatory paternity leave from two to four weeks mark a major reset to policies and necessitate a major change in mindsets of how society can and should support parents and the parenting journey. Freelancers make up about one in ten of Singapore's resident workforce. Some, too, are hoping to start families. They welcome the Bill and look forward to the enhancements. Nonetheless, some have raised concerns on how the Bill would be received by service buyers. Allow me to elaborate. Before I proceed, I declare my role as Director for NTUC's Freelancer and Self-Employed Unit. Babies bring joy. However, some freelancers have found the journey of becoming a mother distressing. Why so? For instance, some freelance instructors shared about abrupt termination of their contracts after disclosing their pregnancy status to clients. These clients had included education institutions. Being dumped by clients in such manner is hurtful and runs counter to this Bill's push for progressive, family-friendly policies. My Parliamentary Question at the recent 14 October 2024 Sitting, thus sought to know if MOM would extend maternity protection to Singaporeans engaged in non-standard forms of employment should the contracts of these freelancers, such as dependent contractors, be terminated on grounds related to pregnancy.”
“The uncertainties felt by our unionists brought about by the halting of the deal are also understandable. My fellow unionists and I do understand and appreciate the reasons why the deal cannot proceed in its current form, as articulated by the Minister of MCCY. Income must find new ways to navigate the Bill, alongside existential challenges such as insuring an ageing base and expanding cover to include more complex and varied health conditions. As the saying goes, charity begins at home. It remains a fact that Income must do well in business to be in the position to do social good. The Bill thus places the ball back in Income’s court, to consider the implications of the Bill in respect of Income's plans to chart a durable path to long-term financial viability. In summary, the Bill presents an opportunity for Income and Allianz to articulate how the proposed partnership can do well and do good. Doing well translates to safeguarding the best interests of stakeholders, including policy-holders and shareholders, while doing good is about creating an impact footprint that is purposeful, meaningful and lasting in outcomes for workers and the social good. Mr Deputy Speaker, notwithstanding the clarifications sought, I support the Bill.”
“I note the developments which MAS had surfaced when it evaluated the proposed partnership between Income and Allianz, and that these developments had prompted the Government to recommend expanding the MAS’ diligence process to also include consultation with the Minister overseeing co-operatives. The Insurance (Amendment) Bill would thus apply an expanded diligence process on applications to the MAS where the licensed insurer in the application falls under one of three categories: it is a co-operative; or it has acquired the principal business of a co-operative; or it has a substantial shareholder or effective controller which is a co-operative. Specifically, the new section 33A in the Bill would empower the Minister to withhold approval of application from the above categories of licensed insurers on grounds of public interest. Section 33A also empowers the Minister to attach conditions to the approval and allows the Minister to add to, vary or revoke any of these conditions. In this regard, I would like to seek clarification on three areas outlined under section 33A. First, could the Minister advise what is defined as “in the public interest” for the purposes of section 33A? Second, what type of conditions could the Minister attach to the approval and what are the considerations guiding how these conditions are determined? Third, under what circumstances would the Minister make changes to the conditions and on the same basis, under what circumstances could the licensed insurer apply for a review of the conditions? Because insurance is most valuable when we are most vulnerable, I can appreciate and understand why the Government is seeking to apply both prudential and social perspectives to its evaluation of the proposed partnership between Income and Allianz.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I declare my interest as a Labour Movement representative and a long-standing policy-holder of Income Insurance, a corporate under the governance of holding entity, NE. Like many Singaporeans of a certain vintage, Income is intertwined with memorable chapters of my life – when my parents first took out insurance savings plans for my sibling and me, when I took on travel insurance for my first trip overseas, and later, when I enrolled my parents and myself in Income’s Shield Plans after I started working. To my fellow unionists and me, Income, together with the social enterprises under NE’s purview, are consistent partners that our unions and associations have counted on to reinforce NTUC’s social mission of helping workers to earn a better living and live a better life. I have assisted members who found their lives suddenly upended by severe injury or illness or in some cases, death. Because Income made members’ well-being its focus, I have counted on its insurances to provide much needed financial relief to members who were hit by these life catastrophes and as important, to communicate our care for our members and their families. Fast-forward to July this year, Income Insurance announced its decision to form a partnership with global insurer, Allianz, to strengthen its finances and financial sustainability to serve the longer-term needs of its customers. Both Income and its holding entity, NE, have been consistent in communicating Income Insurance's steadfast commitment and responsibility towards delivering social good on a lasting basis while charting a durable path to financial sustainability through the proposed partnership with Allianz.”
“Our athletes have given their all to their calling. Their successes and achievements at the international arenas have inspired and energised us. Through them, we are united as One Team Singapore. It now lies upon us, as members of Team Singapore, to be the charming gardeners to our athletes. Our athletes must know that they can count on us to provide the patient capital to invest in them, to encourage them on and to give them the confidence to overcome, aspire and excel. Let us rise to the occasion.”
“I would suggest a review of the support to coaches and coaches’ livelihood as part of strengthening the ecosystem of support for athlete development. NICA stands ready to contribute to the review. The third C: contributions of athletes are valued by society. We live in a practical society where success is often measured by achievements. Every athlete must develop a winning mindset and approach. However, athletes might not consistently yield medal wins as the fruits of labour. The glare of the practical society can be unforgiving and beset athletes with worry and stress. What Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared at his speech at the Institute of Policy Studies' 35th anniversary conference in 2023 is instructive. He said: “We must provide many more ways for our diverse talents to be the best possible version of themselves, to make a difference in their own ways, all deserving of equal respect in our society”. Athletes who have invested a significant part of their lives, and oftentimes, youth, must know that their contribution is valued by our society. Athletes who hold down jobs would feel more assured, knowing that their employers value the diverse perspectives they bring. Athletes who are self-employed would feel more empowered knowing that their livelihood is recognised and their aspirations and needs are considered in Government policy development. More can be done to communicate to our athletes that their contributions are valued, beyond the sport and as part of the larger society. Marcel Proust, the early 20th century French novelist, wrote: “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” There is a price to the process of achieving sporting excellence.”
“Doing so would, especially, give a leg-up to athletes from emerging sports that might be more challenged in fund-raising than established and popular sports and yet would require more support and resources to achieve breakthrough performances. Providing greater transparency in the utilisation of the One Team Singapore Fund could encourage more corporates to step up to the plate as impact outcomes become more visible. The Government could also consider extending the Fund beyond its present end date of FY2027 and for a longer term. The second C: coaches who are committed to longer-term athlete development. I represent freelance coaches and instructors in my capacity as the Executive Secretary of the National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA). Many of our NICA members are sports coaches who deliver sports CCAs to public schools. I have fond memories of my involvement in various sport CCAs, thanks to supportive and caring coaches who challenged me to think and go beyond my self-imposed limitations. The experience has shaped my life outlook and reinforced the grit, resilience and fortitude that I draw upon to navigate life challenges. For our athletes to yield outsized impact, patient capital must extend to supporting those who nurture the seeds of sporting aspiration in our younger generations of Singaporeans. Many sports coaches have shared with NICA their concerns about schools reducing CCA hours and seeking to taper down the competitive element in CCAs. They have also shared concerns about the challenges of eking out a career as a professional sports coach in Singapore because of dampening school demand and increased compliance costs. Behind every successful athlete stands a committed professional sports coach.”
“The former, of recognising the value of sporting excellence, manifests itself in the visible pride that we have for our Olympians and Paralympians. We followed the Games and cheered them on as they took to the stage. We are proud of our Team Singapore athletes and their efforts. The latter, of acknowledging that there is a price to achieve sporting excellence, requires us to adopt the mindframe of patient capital: think long term and impact-seeking. The decision to invest in athlete development and, in turn, sporting excellence, should not be solely dictated by what is tangible and measurable. The Minister shared about Sport Singapore and various NSAs making concerted efforts to spot athletes at a younger age to provide them a longer runway to train and compete at a high-performance level. Nevertheless, we must respect the fact that progress takes time, and every athlete develops and peaks at a different pace. Therein lies the need to reconcile society’s orientation on goals and medals with the long-term horizon necessary for athlete development and success. The 3Cs can help us to align. The first C: corporates that step up to the plate. More corporates can lead the way by contributing towards the One Team Singapore Fund that provides financial support to sportspersons as well as increase sports' accessibility to vulnerable populations. To signal its support, the Government matches dollar for dollar for contributions to the Fund and provides a 250% tax deduction to corporate and individual donors. Corporates, too, can communicate their support for our athletes’ longer-term development by pledging longer-term funding to the One Team Singapore Fund.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion, and in recognition of the personal and professional achievements of each and every Team Singapore Olympian and Paralympian at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The achievements bear testament to our athletes’ dedication and hard work. As important, the achievements also bear testament to the committed long-term support for Team Singapore athletes from different quarters of society. Such committed long-term support is no different from the concept of patient capital, a transformative approach to impact investing. How so? Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Acumen, a global non-profit venture capital fund explains that patient capital: “requires that we have incredible tolerance for risk, a long-time horizon in terms of allowing those entrepreneurs time to experiment, to use the market as the best listening device that we have, and the expectation of below-market returns, but outsized social impact.” We used to view winning medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games as a moonshot. This year, we join Ms Jeralyn Tan, Mr Maximillian Maeder and Ms Yip Pin Xiu to celebrate their hard-earned medals from the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their successes inspire younger Singaporeans to hold fast to sporting ambitions. As a society, how might we raise the patient capital needed to build on 2024’s achievements and to give courage to more Singaporeans to commit to representing Singapore in sports at the international level? In response, I call on more of us to recognise that the value of sporting excellence is lasting and wide-reaching and to acknowledge that there is a price to the process of achieving sporting excellence.”
“I would just like to put across a point that while the creators can get some level of assistance and education, then I think the request to the Ministry is whether it can consider also mounting similar education for businesses, especially as such artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools become more popular and to educate businesses on how to seek IP rights from creators.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the response. I just wanted to understand better. For creators with less means, in terms of financial means, what is the assistance that they can look towards the Ministry or IPOS to provide. Secondly, there are businesses, increasingly, using ChatGPT or different means of ChatGPT to procure or devise artworks through what I would call plagiarism, but the businesses might not know. When this happens, what are the steps the Ministry can take to assist local creators to enforce such rights?”
“Third, I note that section 32A provides for the Board to impose premium loading on a CPF member whose assessed health risk exceeds the threshold determined by the Board, so long as the Board is satisfied that the member meets all other health-related criteria determined by the Board. Could the Minister explain the process by which the Board determines the health risk threshold and the frequency by which this threshold would be reviewed? For members who must bear premium loading, what is the process and frequency for the Board to review these members' assessed risk and their premium loading payable? How does the Board determine the premium loading amount and would the amount vary from individual-to-individual and from year-to-year? If so, what is the expected variance? Notwithstanding these clarifications, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, my speech will focus on Part 2 of the Bill on the amendments relating to HPS. HPS is a mortgage-reducing insurance that protects CPF members from losing their HDB flat in the event of death, terminal illness or total permanent disability. Except for HDB owners with serious pre-existing illnesses, HPS insures CPF members until the age of 65 or until the housing loans are paid up. The Bill’s proposed amendments are much welcomed. Nonetheless, I would like to seek clarification on three areas. First, I appreciate the intention to expand the HPS to admit more CPF members. I note that in the Minister's written answer in August 2024 to Member Ms Yeo Wan Ling's Parliamentary Question on coverage for the HPS, the Minister had replied that, "In the last three years, about 1.3% of HPS applications were rejected due to serious pre-existing medical conditions. The top reasons for such rejection is due to the applicant having multiple pre-existing medical conditions or cancer." I also note from the Minister's speech earlier that the expanded HPS would cover those with less severe pre-existing conditions. Therefore, similar with Member Louis Ng's point, to what extent would the expanded HPS cover this cumulative 1.3% of HPS applications that were rejected in the past three years due to serious pre-existing medical conditions? What about those who were previously rejected by HPS and are now under private mortgage insurance? Second, in the same Parliamentary Question response, the Minister had cited the affordability of premiums across all HPS policyholders and the financial viability of the scheme as considerations when reviewing the coverage of HPS. In this regard, how does the expansion of the insured base impact the premium for members in the medium term?”
“Building owners can make a bigger push for sustainability, for instance, by embracing the car-lite movement and facilitating parking and passage routes within the building and its premises to convenience delivery riders and other mobility device users. While the Bill can set in motion the momentum for environmental sustainability, sustaining this momentum would rest upon building owners and building users like us to make sustainable living a way of life.”
“Should the building owner fail to do so, the CBC is empowered to direct the building owner to comply in the absence of reasonable excuse. Nonetheless, the CBC can also modify or waive any requirement relating to the implementation of an energy efficiency improvement plan or the maintenance of the reduction in energy use intensity. My second clarification relates to the prescribed maintenance period. How long is the prescribed maintenance period and does a common prescribed maintenance period apply to all buildings under the updated regime? What are expectations of building owners when the prescribed maintenance period expires? My third clarification relates to the likelihood for modification or waiver of requirement. To ensure that building owners set aside adequate resources to follow through with both the implementation of the energy efficiency improvement plan and the maintenance of specified reduction in energy use intensity for the prescribed period, what measures might the Ministry consider implementing? We tend to make poorer long-term decisions through a short-term lens. The Bill widens our lens and shifts the perspective of success for stakeholders to the longer term because it does take time for energy efficiency measures to take root and for us to reap the desired environmental gains and economic savings. Buildings are spaces where we live and work in. We can shape how we design and use buildings to achieve a better quality of life. Climate change is an existential threat that can upend life as we know it. There is urgency for action and the Bill is a push for environmental sustainability.”
“Mr Speaker, buildings are spaces where we live and work in. How we design and use these spaces shape the flow of everyday activities and impacts the quality of life for many. Against this backdrop, I support the Bill. In particular, a sustainability strategy that the Bill will set in motion, that is the expansion of regime in Part 3B of the Building Control Act relating to environmental sustainability measures for existing buildings. I understand that when the Bill comes into effect, owners of existing buildings must, on an enduring basis, run energy-efficient building systems that meet the prescribed standards underpinned by the Environmental Sustainability score. In this regard, I wish to seek clarification in three areas. The new sections 22FM and 22FN of the Bill would empower the CBC to require owners of identified energy-intensive buildings to appoint a specified individual to carry out an audit on the energy use of the building as well as provide the building owner with an energy efficiency improvement plan. However, under the new section 22FO, the same building owner can apply to reduce the energy use intensity of the building by a lower percentage than the approved reduction and/or amend the proposed energy efficiency improvement plan. Mr Speaker, my first clarification relates to the parameters for approval. On what basis would approval be given to a building owner seeking to amend the specified reduction in energy use intensity and/or the proposed energy efficiency improvement plan? I note that under the new sections 22F T, U and V, the building owner is required to maintain the achieved energy use intensity for a prescribed maintenance period.”
“I just wanted to touch on the point on the projection of demand. One of the things which is quite challenging is relating to projected demand. As drivers tend to rent vehicles and for the vehicle rental contracts, for these to be sustainable, it is typically for a six-month period or longer. I have two supplementary questions. One, what measures can MOT introduce to help P2P drivers have better visibility of projected demand? The second is relating to the vehicle leasing contracts, they are sometimes crafted in a way that makes it difficult for the drivers to exit the contracts. So, would the Government consider providing affordable mediation to assist drivers who are locked into such unfair leasing contracts?”
“These issues could range from inconveniences arising from infrastructure challenges such as delivery-unfriendly properties to protecting platform workers against work-related harms such as the handling of passengers who insist on vaping in the vehicle or who refuse to belt up. In conclusion, technology without guardrails can dehumanise work and the worker. NTUC cares deeply for our platform workers. We champion their interests because every platform worker matters. This Bill is testament. The Bill recognises that platform work has gone from experimental dabbling to an everyday affair; platform work is also both a career and a community for individuals of different life stages and ages. Indeed, the Bill is significant because it heralds work and social protections that have impact on the lives and livelihoods of this precarious group of workers. As important, the Bill sets the stage for industrial relations to take root in a new economy and where sustainable development and win-win-win outcomes for workers, operators, and society, can spring forth under the auspices of tripartism and collaboration; so that all can play their part in building a fair social compact and resilient workforce.”
“Therefore, last month, the NTUC announced its intention to register platform work associations that represent taxi drivers, private hire vehicle drivers and platform delivery workers should this Bill be passed. This Bill accords the right of voice to platform workers. The Bill also vests in platform work associations the right to Act on behalf of platform workers who are platform work association members. This is a milestone. In this regard, platform work associations would undertake to advance the livelihoods of associations’ members. Platform work associations would also undertake to establish the first principles to anchor bipartite and tripartite discussions with platform operators and other stakeholders. It is thus in the interests of both platform operators and platform workers to proactively seek out and collaborate with or join a platform work association that is balanced and progressive in mindset and approach. Having the right relationships in place from the get-go is crucial to building up platform workers’ trust in the platform work system. This is because issues that arise during platform rides and/or deliveries can be surfaced, addressed and acted on by platform operators, in collaboration with the platform work association. I value the Ministry’s efforts to consult the other tripartite stakeholders in the crafting of the Bill. Does the Ministry plan to re-introduce tripartite set-ups that can facilitate discussions between the sectoral platform work association and platform operators on livelihood issues impacting the sector and its workers?”
“Knowing what each platform pays on average allows platform workers to better plan their work arrangements and finances. The introduction of the CPF scheme into the platform work-stream marks the maturing of the platform economy. Platform operators must be less like startups and more like established firms. The Bill’s oversight should thus extend to affirming fairness and transparency in how platform operators engage, deploy and compensate platform workers – right at the outset when parties enter a contract. Recapping – the Bill can empower platform workers to opt-in to the CPF scheme by elevating trust in the system. How so? One, by requiring platform operators to periodically validate their AI systems to ensure fairness. Two, by providing platform workers with some income protection in event of extended platform app outage. And three, by requiring platform operators to extend to platform workers, the terms of services and its updates as well as information that would help workers to better grasp how much they can expect to earn based on their work effort. Platform operators are aware that investors hold fast to unicorn aspirations and expect platforms to deliver faster growth, better return on capital and higher profit margins regardless of the Bill’s implications. In turn, platform workers are aware of the competing pressures upon platform operators that could erode the worker share of the economic pie. Platform workers have shared with our associations their worries of platform operators diffusing the cost of Bill compliance among platform workers under the cloak of less-than-transparent earnings statement and/ or brute force implementation.”
“This matters because the quality of platform workers’ lives and livelihoods much depend on the fair and smooth functioning of platform algorithms. Thus, securing platform operators’ commitment to periodically validate their AI systems against a national framework gives platform workers greater assurance that these black box AI systems are fair, unbiased and safe. Two, is to require platform operators to provide some income protection for active platform workers who lose the opportunity to earn during extended platform app outages. We would feel distressed if our work devices crash. While we can take comfort that we are paid on the clock while awaiting IT help, platform workers are paid by the job and the impact of app disruption can go beyond inconvenience and into financial hardship. Some active platform workers were especially hard-hit during platform app outages; their earnings were locked in the app and they struggled to cover their families’ daily expenses. The Land Transport Authority’s (LTA's) move to introduce standards for managing operational disruptions for all taxi and ride-hail operators is a positive step because it assigns responsibility and accountability to platform operators. How might the Ministry build on the Bill as well as LTA’s standards to ensure that when technology fails, platform operators continue to uphold the social compact and are consistent in providing some income protection to active platform workers? Three, is an "ask" for platform operators to extend to platform workers, a copy of the terms of services between the platform worker and the platform operator. Platform workers should also be informed on how platforms price fees and earnings.”
“Protocols for job allocation are oftentimes vague. The low-trust is further compounded by glitches that disrupt operators’ apps – sometimes, for extended periods. Whenever such situations happen, platform workers are forced to double-up as platform operators’ helpdesk in facing angry customers and merchants while trying but often failing to get help from operators. More crucial, platform workers worry about digital disruptions undermining their livelihoods. Platform workers thus ask that the Ministry establish safeguards that build on the Bill. These safeguards should hold platform operators responsible for ensuring that platform workers understand how they are being paid so that platform workers can make informed decisions on their work arrangements. Why should platform workers be left guessing and speculating how much they can earn each time they take a job? This breeds a sense of insecurity and deep anxiety over their livelihoods and the welfare of their dependents. Platform operators must also be held accountable for the integrity of app transactions and the knock-on impact of app disruptions to platform workers’ livelihoods. A constructive approach could have three priorities. One, is to require platform operators to participate in Singapore’s AI governance testing framework, AI Verify. Today, no platform operators are listed as AI Verify foundation members. Mr Speaker, via AI Verify, organisations would apply standardised tests to validate their AI systems’ performance against internationally aligned AI ethics principles of transparency, explainability, repeatability, safety, security, robustness, fairness, data governance, accountability, human agency and oversight, inclusive growth, and societal and environmental well-being.”
“Workers must have access to a whistle-blowing hotline; and tripartite partners must continue to work closely to review and update the code of practice to address emerging risks. Thus, I would like to know if the Ministry has plans to ensure the implementation of guardrails to address the risks posed to workers’ safety and health by platform policies and practices. Second, the Bill directs platform operators to translate part of their economic gain into social value. This matters because platform economy has grown in scale, size and workforce participation. I appreciate the amendments to the CPF Act as these changes would boost platform workers’ social security and ability to finance housing and retirement needs. To recap, from 1 January next year, platform operators must contribute to the provident funds of platform workers who are born on or after 1995 as well as those who opt-in to the CPF scheme. I also appreciate the raised income threshold as well as the higher percent Government support for the PCTS scheme that would benefit more platform workers to larger extent. A platform worker who opts in to the CPF scheme and is a CPF Transition Support Scheme and Workfare Income Supplement recipient would gain from higher overall income and cash pay-out. Nonetheless, platform workers are concerned about platform operators restricting allocation of jobs, suppressing fares, or raising charges to minimise the operators’ CPF outlay for platform workers onboard the CPF scheme. Platform workers attribute their low trust of platforms to the fact that many platform operators seem to be only making half-hearted attempts at issuing rate sheets and statements for jobs and earnings that promise clarity and transparency but are neither clear nor transparent.”
“To protect platform workers, the law must institute clear guardrails for platform operators to abide by. These guardrails must require operators to adopt a worker-centric viewpoint when reviewing their algorithms, work practices, and workflows. To this end, operators must take a serious look at how their policies and targets might end up risking workers’ health and safety and must take reasonable steps to mitigate these risks. The amended WSH Act also stipulates a code of practice for platform operators; the code is now open for public feedback. This code should reflect the industry guardrails that I mentioned earlier and set a clear tone to demarcate and clamp down on unacceptable practices by platform operators. I urge tripartite partners to take bold steps to call out what is clearly unacceptable: no more policies that require workers to work extended hours non-stop; no more back-breaking loads or unsafe weight limits that exceed workers’ device capacity. The law must also protect platform workers from being penalised if they take reasonable steps to safeguard their safety and health. Workers must be allowed to slow down or pause travel on roads in unsafe conditions; they must be empowered to decline jobs that are too heavy or large for them or their devices to carry. Platform operators must be held accountable if their policies penalise workers for abiding by safety practices. The laws must ultimately address the risks to life and limb that platform workers face daily. As practices evolve, there must also be avenues for workers to report unsafe practices or penalties imposed by operators that discourage safe practices.”
“An Institute of Policy Studies 2022 poll found that one in three food delivery workers have been in at least one accident that required medical attention, and accident risks increased for those who worked longer hours and earned more. The proposed amendments to the WSH Act sets out platform operators’ role and responsibilities. Having similar duties as employers under the WSH Act means that platform operators must flag out platform work risks and take steps to mitigate them. The Bill also assigns to platform operators, financial responsibility for injury, incapacity or death of a platform worker associated with performing a platform job. By putting a price tag on work risks, concurrent amendments to WICA could motivate platform operators to value worker safety as they value profitability. Platform operators wield wide-ranging control over platform workers’ pay, based on principles and algorithmic decisions that are a black box to platform workers. For instance, platform operators might neglect to consider or downplay the risk of injury when assigning an order to a platform delivery worker. Imagine delivering 80 packets of chicken rice or 36 litres of bottled water in a single delivery order and what is worse, realising there are four flights of stairs or a 10-minute walk to reach the customer. Platform delivery workers, regardless of age or fitness, can relate to these horrors. We also hear of platform workers feeling compelled to work excessive hours such as 14- to 16-hour days on end without breaks, to unlock incentive targets. Such unrealistic targets drive platform workers to take unnecessary risks to their health and safety that also impact customers and the public.”
“Nevertheless, because how much a platform worker earns depends on how many and what type of jobs the platform assigns, platform workers have shared with NTUC and its affiliated associations – National Delivery Champions Association, National Private Hire Vehicles Association, and National Taxi Association – their hopes for the Bill to establish norms. What norms? Like other working people, platform workers care about: being treated with fairness and openness; being appropriately remunerated for their efforts and being accorded the autonomy to manage their work, specifically how tasks are performed, the scope and pace of work, and the scheduling and location of work. However, in a space where the known unknown is uncertainty, before this Bill, many platform workers had looked to the future with despair. Indeed, over the last decade, NTUC and its affiliated associations have been engaging the Government, platform operators and other stakeholders on the concerns and issues facing platform workers. The Bill is thus a commendable response by the Government to allay some uncertainties of “pay-per-job” work – where jobs, wages and the work environment are in constant flux and where the worker must cede much control of how, when, and where to work to a black box of algorithms and bots. To provide platform workers with peace of mind, I would like to seek clarity in three areas of the Bill. Before I proceed, I declare my interest as a Labour Movement representative and Executive Secretary of National Delivery Champions Association. First, I appreciate that the Bill seeks to moderate platform operators’ profit-seeking behaviour and turn the spotlight on workers’ health and safety.”
“Mr Speaker, Members of the House and platform industry colleagues in the Gallery, I support the Platform Workers Bill. The Bill recognises a unique group of self-employed workers that earn a precarious living doing gig jobs. They are the freelance delivery workers, private hire vehicle drivers and taxi drivers whose earnings and welfare depend on ride-hail and delivery platform operators that price and auto-assign jobs using algorithms. Over the last decade, ride-hail and delivery platform businesses have stabilised and grown. Many have transcended growth goals and are prioritising larger profit margins. The Bill is thus well-timed. As it is built on recommendations from the Tripartite Advisory Committee and Workgroup, the Bill effects purposeful and substantive change to worker protection and shapes for the better our social compact in the context of the platform economy and workforce. If well-implemented, the Bill can guide platform operators to strike the right balance between business profit-making and their duties towards platform workers. By outlining the responsibilities of platform operators towards the work safety and long-term financial security of their platform worker base, the Bill also addresses the precariousness of platform work and boosts platform workers' ability to build sustainable livelihoods. The Bill also recognises the right of platform workers to form and be represented by platform work associations. The Bill is a landmark in labour laws because it accords registered platform work associations with union-like powers to negotiate with platform operators on work areas such as fair treatment, sustainable earnings and work safety.”
“In summary, this Bill is a step towards building a kinder society. It shines a light on how some businesses and individuals have helped and how more businesses and individuals can now come forward to help to channel safe, surplus food to households struggling to meet food needs. By strengthening empathy and connections among the broader public, the Bill is a game-changer that can help to dismantle the social stigma surrounding food support while giving food-insecure families the confidence to benefit from food support that is dignified, sustained, adequate and enriching. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“This would mean that food rescue organisations would hope for more resources and support to enhance cold chains, to cater for adequate storage facilities and to continually train their staff and volunteers to know how to keep different types of food safe for consumption. Ultimately, the well-being of recipients is priority and I hope that the Bill can open doors for more of such help to flow. Third, food rescue and redistribution efforts must be paired with public-private schemes and support that provide lower-income families with dignified, sustained and adequate access to nutritious food. The Lien Centre for Social Innovation released its Hunger Report in 2020. The report brought to the fore the stigma surrounding food support. The report shared that food-insecure individuals more often experienced negative emotions of sadness, stress and embarrassment that might result in them shying away from help to meet food needs. Because dining out at hawker centres and coffee shops is a mainstay for many Singaporeans, a lower-income family that can partake in affordable hawker meals alongside others in the community could feel more assured and secured in meeting their food needs and less burdened by negative emotions. Hawkers that are committed to providing affordable and nutritious meals for lower-income families are thus integral to strengthening the food security and morale of these persons in need. These hawkers should be supported and I urge the Government and operators to consider extending subsidies or stall rental rebates to them. This matters because enhanced welfare for vulnerable families should not be at the expense of economic survival of hawkers, many of whom are self-employed and are working hard to make a living.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I applaud the Good Samaritan Legislation Review Committee, comprising Members of Parliament Louis Ng, Poh Li San, Edward Chia and Hany Soh for the Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill. The Bill assures businesses and individuals of legal protection when they donate safe, surplus food to benefit households that struggle to meet their food needs. I support the Bill. For the Bill to improve food security for those in need, steps must be taken to ensure that surplus food can be channelled safely and efficiently in sustainable and long-lasting arrangements. In this regard, I would like to suggest three measures for the Review Committee and the Government to consider alongside Bill implementation. First, the Government could consider extending tax exemptions to businesses and individuals who been regular in channelling surplus food to recipients directly or through intermediaries. This would incentivise businesses to formalise food donation activities which would in turn stabilise food aid supply in Singapore. There is precedent implementation of such initiative in Colombia. Allow me to share. The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas reported that the Colombian government allows food donors to claim a tax credit of up to 25% of the value of donations made to food bank members and other organisations that promote health, environmental protection, human rights and poverty reduction. I would suggest a closer study of this initiative as there could be valuable learning for Singapore. Second, if well implemented, the Bill would elevate the extent and scale of food rescue and redistribution.”
“Officers from these banks' anti-scam teams are stationed at the Police Anti-Scam Centre and work quickly and closely with the Police to curb scams. To conclude, these measures of accountability and transparency would communicate that CII owners, together with the Government and core stakeholders, are active in safeguarding public interest against cyber threats. More important, these measures would reinforce the trust among the public, CII owners and the Government that is core to the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“In this regard, the Government could consider requiring CII owners to allocate a reasonable share of expenditure to continual strengthening of cybersecurity and cyber resilience. Such guardrail would raise the public's confidence that CII owners would balance profit motivation and public interest. Second, the Government could reinforce existing alliances and establish new alliances for cooperation in cybersecurity. This could be at three levels. One, at the inter-governmental level because security threats can span borders. The ASEAN cybersecurity cooperation strategy is a progressive approach. Two, at the technology-producer level, because cyber resilience must guide technology product development from the outset. This would reinforce technology producers' duty to buyers that include CIIs as well as end-users like the public. Three, at the firm level, because regular information sharing between the Government and firms must be part of the efforts to counter cyber threats. Such public-private cooperation could be facilitated by proactive knowledge sharing and innovative collaboration. Allow me to elaborate. First, proactive public-private knowledge sharing. The Government could stress-test CIIs' systems. Insights gleaned from stress tests could be shared with other CIIs, Institutes of Higher Learning and through public reports. This would set in motion a virtuous cycle for continual uplift in worker training as well as job and research programmes. Second, innovative public-private collaboration. Innovative public-private collaboration could be modelled after the Singapore Police Force's collaboration with various banks to stem scams.”
“Global communications firm Edelman's Trust Barometer survey in 2023 recorded Singapore respondents as having higher trust in Singapore institutions, particularly the Government as an institution. Nonetheless, the same survey revealed respondents' worries of harm by hackers and/or technology. The Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill is thus timely. The Bill holds businesses responsible and accountable to cybersecurity and cyber resilience, especially when the rush to embrace AI and new technologies exposes businesses to new risks. Owners of CII, such as water, electricity and banking services, are required by the Bill to be responsible for the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of their systems. CII owners must also be prepared to report more types of cybersecurity incidents, including those that happen in their supply chains. As the requirements appear to only hold CII owners responsible downstream, the Government could also consider articulating efforts upstream, to strengthen trust between the public and CII owners, especially when CII owners race ahead in AI and technology frontiers. Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies pointed out the trust gap in her response to media outlet TODAY Online's coverage of the Edelman survey. I quote, "Unless you are younger, more tech-savvy, interested in innovation and have a positive outlook on science and technology, the mass base of people feel threatened by that sort of change." The Bill is in the right direction and can be reinforced by measures that boost CII owners' accountability and transparency to the public. I thus seek the Government's consideration of these measures. First, the Government could make explicit CII owners' duty to the public.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I do understand that there is an increase in demand for various facilities because of the resumption of activities post-COVID-19, as well as also Healthier SG and various initiatives at the community level. Would there be intention to look at, on a broad base, for both sports as well as non-sport use, whether there could be a more systematic way in which these facilities can be made available for different users? I do understand that there is a certain workflow for sports activities. But for non-sports activities, would there be, perhaps, a more systematic way in which these facilities can be made available to different groups for booking?”
“I thank the Minister of State. I have two supplementary questions. The first is relating to arts and design. I do understand that if we look at arts and design as a vertical skill, then in terms of opportunities, it is quite confined. But I just would like to follow up on some of the mentions in my previous Budget speech. Looking at the growth of various sectors, such as tourism, entertainment and so forth; in Singapore, where, in terms of growth potential and economic opportunities are much more, what would be the steps taken to integrate these creative arts professionals in these fields, with these growth industries? So, that is one. Second, for health sciences, I also do understand that there is a big push for Healthier SG. What are the opportunity spaces in which the schools are looking at to bridge these graduates with the opportunities on-stream?”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. I think the perspective would be the professionals, managers and executives (PMEs). The PMEs that we come across, given people are now more aware of chronic illness and all that, they do recognise that it does take a holistic approach to health – not just physical activity, but what types of physical activity, what types of diet. People are also wondering if, for example from Healthy 365 or HealthHub, would there be a way in which they can take a more involved approach, but seeking professional advice to construct a health plan which would allow them to be personalised and addressing their aliments.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. I just wanted to find out whether there would be intention to have single touch points, where those who are not within the first phase – for example, if I am in my 30s or 40s, but I recognise that I would like to take a more active action towards health planning, including diet, fitness as well as lifestyle changes – would there be a single touch point who we could approach so that we can integrate all these various facilities and help available?”
“I thank the Minister for all the very encouraging announcements. I have three clarifications. The first is relating to the Major Sports Events Fund. My appeal is that for the Major Sports Events Fund, it will also provide learning opportunities for freelancers and ancillary services, for example, those doing content production in audio-visual (AV) and whether there can be learning opportunities for them to also shadow the international teams. Of course, the learning opportunities could also extend to Singaporeans who can front opening acts as well as festivals that accompany these major events. The second clarification is for Minister of State Low Yen Ling. For the SG Arts Plan, this is something very exciting. We really welcome it. I just wanted to put across a point that while professional development is good, the other part is how we enable sustainable businesses. One of the biggest concerns is relating to payments or non-payments, contracts issues, as well as also safe work practices. I just wanted to put forth a proposal to the Ministry that in conceptualising the SG Arts Plan, whether this can be one of the agenda items in terms of looking at the sustainable practices and working with stakeholders like NICA and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association, Singapore (VICPA) to put this as one of the agenda in developing the arts ecosystem in Singapore. The third clarification to Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua. We certainly welcome the Athletes Inspire Fund for emerging Sports. The ask is that for the coaches who are supporting these athletes in emerging sports, that there could also be more support in terms of their professional development.”
“Let us empower those who help us to live life happy, healthy and well.”
“The guidance could consider how similar qualified professions are remunerated and suggest differentiated premiums for coaches who upskill and attain different levels of mastery. Most important, the guidance assures buyers of transparency and coaches of structured recognition for their contribution. Second, could the Ministry offer affordable venue spaces for coaches in their capacity as micro-firms to book directly than going through dominant intermediaries? Not-for-profit entities could be tapped to manage the bookings. Doing so would allow talents in different fields to flourish and also nourish the entrepreneurial spirit in Singaporeans. For instance, the Sports Facilities Master Plan could allow sports and exercise coaches to directly tap repurposed spaces, such as refurbished schools. These coaches could in turn cater classes for more Singaporeans at dedicated and convenient venues. Third, might the Ministry work closely with NICA to finetune the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme to help freelance coaches make career breakthroughs? Against the backdrop of Healthier SG, NICA is putting together upskilling pathways to equip our members to coach niche segments, such as persons with disabilities and frail seniors. We are also familiarising coaches with AI and other emerging knowledge that can help to sharpen their edge. NICA welcomes more hands on deck to advance efforts. By unlocking these three possibilities, we can support our freelance coaches for arts, exercise sports and outdoor adventure education to make a fair living, access opportunities on a level playing field; and like fellow Singaporeans, be equipped to take forward prospects on the horizon. Sir, we can and must do more to fortify our coaches and instructors.”
“MCCY and its relevant agencies – the National Arts Council, Sports Singapore and People's Association – guide the professional development of arts, exercise, sports and outdoor Coaches. In recent years, MCCY and its agencies have dedicated much effort and resources to uplifting coaching and instructing standards. Initiatives, such as the National Registry of Exercise Professionals and Competency Framework for Arts Educators, are noteworthy. NICA members and their fellow Coaches appreciate the Government's affirmation of their support and of their contribution and impact. Like other workers, they ask if the affirmation could translate to professional recognition and wage growth. Many coaches have told NICA that they struggle to adjust their fees to factor in the rising costs of operations, such as venue booking, and essentials ,such as meals, insurances and healthcare. This is because corporate and Government buyers often resist adjusting budgets for services on the one hand; even though on the other hand, they feel obliged to raise wages for their own staff because of rising costs of living. Because freelance coaches are microservice providers that are up against big and dominant service buyers, they often feel compelled to meet buyers' price expectations even when rates are on the downside and unsustainable in the long run. Thus, I would like to propose three possibilities for the Minister's consideration. First, will the Ministry and its agencies work closely with NICA to establish fair and balanced guidance on the value of coaches' services? The guidance would articulate the survey costs of coaches as freelancers delivering professional instruction to different segments of Singaporeans, especially as Healthier SG comes on stream.”
“Sir, in his 2024 Budget Statement, Deputy Prime Minister Wong called on Singaporeans to, "fortify our resilient, solidarity and unity, so that we remain strong and effective against any challenges and threats." Arts exercise, sports and outdoor adventure education, are essential ingredients for strengthening our nation. Recalling the pandemic, many of us felt a sense of loss when safe management measures put a pause on many arts, exercise, sports and outdoor activities. Some, like our seniors, missed the joy of learning; while others, like our youths, longed for the happiness from camaraderie of common pursuit. The joy and happiness that enhanced our health and well-being were made possible by a community of dedicated coaches and instructors, who I shall refer to as "coaches". The pandemic struck hard at coaches' livelihood and self-worth. Since then, some have gotten back on track while others have chosen to leave coaching. In today's uncertain world, arts, exercise, sports and outdoor remain essential to strengthening and uniting Singaporeans across ages. We must thus support coaches to keep faith. Many coaches are freelancers. As micro-businesses, they are expected to thrive regardless of the pressures from big service buyers and price competition and the struggles from shouldering interlocking business, personal and family responsibilities. Passion is what keeps them going. Nonetheless, coaches have shared with the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC's) National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA), which I serve, that stagnant rates and rising costs are making them lose heart.”
“Nonetheless, safer, gracious and timely deliveries take more than just hardware. In this regard, I would like to put forth three questions to the Minister. First, with deliveries becoming a mainstay, would the Ministry consider introducing incentives for mature properties that become delivery-friendly? Second, it is inevitable that disputes might arise between delivery persons and condominium representatives. Would the Ministry consider providing mediation support? Graciousness thrives in an ecosystem where care and consideration are mainstays. How might the Ministry foster care and consideration between condominium representatives, residents and external providers, such as delivery freelancers? Shaping Singapore's Future”
“Chairman, they are the 20,000-over freelance riders and drivers on foot, two-wheels or four-wheels, who deliver convenience and everyday comforts to us. Delivery freelancers who I speak with in my capacity with NTUC's National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), share their pride in delivering on time barring terrible weather or traffic. In turn, how might we ensure that our living spaces are safe work environments for delivery persons? For instance, gated residences, such as condominiums, often require visitors to register to enter. They might also have designated visitor parking spaces. Those of us who played hosts during the recent Lunar New Year, would surely have desired for your guests to receive a courteous experience at the security post and a safe and easy-to-navigate passage across the compound to your home. We would not have wanted our guests to bear with the indignities of having to surrender excessive personal data to the security, traverse slippery and uneven surfaces, or locate specific units without visible signages or reliable mobile reception. We would also not have wanted our guests to risk their lives and property because they were disallowed from entering the compound and had to alight at the road. Worryingly, these are recurring concerns shared by our delivery freelancers. They share that the feedback is often acknowledged by stakeholders, but seldom acted on. 12.00 pm NDCA is involved in a Tripartite Workgroup for Last-mile Delivery led by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) and comprising other delivery ecosystem stakeholders. We are hopeful that the Workgroup will be a longer-term platform to engender delivery-friendly infrastructure and workflow improvements.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the response. I would like to ask, how frequent are these sessions? And given that there has been quite a fair bit of discussions on new careers, such as in AI, how are we working together with the teachers to keep them abreast of these developments so that they can then support the students in selecting careers for the future?”
“Chairman, my question is actually to Senior Minister of State Koh. I understand that some of the measures that will be introduced will strengthen vulnerable workers. So, I would like to ask if one of the measures would include actually reviewing the 2018 Tripartite Workgroup Recommendations for Self-Employed Persons, because I feel that there is a need to be more affirmative in how we address these vulnerabilities.”
“Likewise for freelancers who provide exercise coaching or delivery expertise, they are often instructed to adhere to work instructions set out by service buyers and intermediaries. In the course of work, they might injure other persons or property by accident. Again, it is seldom that the service buyer and intermediaries provide the freelancer liability insurance via direct coverage or by engaging freelancers whose fees have factored in liability coverage. A lack of injury and liability insurance thus exposes the freelancer to risks that he or she is not equipped to deal with. In this regard, I would like to ask if the Minister would consider directing service buyers and intermediaries to be responsible for the workplace health and safety of the freelance or self-employed service providers that they engage? This could mean that the service buyer and intermediaries provide the freelance service providers with injury and liability insurance via direct coverage or engages freelance service providers who already possess coverage of such insurances. As businesses continue to restructure and de-risk, it would take collective will and guardrails than mere goodwill to ensure that workers, whether employees or freelancers, are valued as contributors and their safety and health at work is regarded and prioritised. Predatory Employment Contracts”
“Chairman, businesses in sectors such as creative, media, coaching and delivery have evolved their business models to tap freelancers as the main labour pool. These businesses prefer freelancers for their expertise and responsiveness. They also prefer freelancers for efficient budgeting as labour can then be reflected as a unit cost. Oftentimes, the commoditisation of freelancer services meant that businesses were conditioned to find ways to spend less on freelancers as a component. This included holding back from providing injury coverage to freelancers, whether by direct insurance or by preferring freelancers who include the cost of injury insurance into their fees. The commoditisation of freelancer services also means that at work sites, businesses might prioritise business needs over the health and safety of freelancers. For instance, post-pandemic, it was common to hear of freelance production crew working on shoots for 16 or more hours at a stretch, just so that the production house could compact filming into one day and thus save on venue and equipment rental costs. Upon shoot completion, these freelance crew must still make the trip to return the production equipment, thus many might only call it a day after nearly 20 hours at work. Should a freelancer get injured during work, past cases have shown that it could be very trying to obtain compensation from the business for the freelancer’s medical bills and downtime. This is especially difficult if the freelancer was injured badly because of the work or work conditions. While the tripartite standard on procurement of media freelancers’ services urges adopters to provide insurance for freelancers on set for injury and gear damage, this is not a pervasive practice.”
“Thank you, Chair. I thank Minister of State Gan Siow Huang for her reply. I would like to provide context to the request for the targeted approach to curating training for freelancers. I understand that SSG relies on job transformation maps and industry transformation maps (ITMs) to determine the courses to fund. However, these maps address companies' employment needs, then the needs of freelancers who are actually engaged by businesses to augment their operational needs in specialised areas. Freelancers, like coaches and creators, want to partake in all these different initiatives because staying relevant is actually more urgent and pressing for them. And therefore, they ask for relevant training that is applicable to their work and must be valued by the service buyers, who also include Government agencies. Could the Minister of State share what approach would SSG take in its approach to course curation, to cater to the needs of freelancers?”