Fatal and Major Injuries Suffered by Platform Workers, and Proposal to Review Platform Incentive Structures

Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari asked the Minister for Manpower in respect of the high fatal and major injury rates among platform workers in the annual workplace safety and health report (a) what are the common causes for these incidents; (b) to what extent are these linked to road safety factors, work pressures such as tight timelines, or fatigue; and (c) how will these findings inform targeted interventions to improve platform worker safety.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Manpower given the higher fatal and major injury rates among platform workers (a) what measures is the Ministry considering to reduce platform worker injuries; and (b) whether the Ministry is reviewing platform incentive structures to ensure they do not encourage unsafe behaviours whilst not adversely affecting drivers’ incomes.

In 2025, there were two work-related fatalities and 74 major injuries involving platform workers (PWs), which translates to a rate of 84.6 injuries per 100,000 PWs. The two fatalities and 62 of the 74 major injuries involved PWs performing delivery services. The remaining 12 involved PWs performing ride-hail services.

The high injury rate reflects the inherent risks involved in platform work given that both platform operators (POs) and workers have limited control over their work environment, which primarily involves travel on public roads and paths. Coupled with how most of the PWs' fatal and major injuries in 2025 were sustained while operating vehicles or active mobility devices, road safety is a key concern.

The Ministry does not have data to link PW injuries to work pressures or fatigue. However, Platform Work Associations (PWAs) have highlighted that some PWs face pressures stemming from customer expectations of delivery timings or anxiety over earnings. These factors may add to safety risks, such as some PWs rushing to complete more jobs during peak hours.

On platform incentive structures, the PW Trilateral Group convened last year recognised that overly rigid regulation of incentive structures could stifle innovation and disrupt POs' business models. Instead, it recommended that POs and PWAs develop industry-wide principles for issues related to payment or incentive schemes, balanced against the need for safety of PWs. An example of these principles is that incentive schemes should not be designed to encourage PWs to work excessively long periods without adequate rest to qualify for an incentive.

The findings from the 2025 PW injury data provide a basis for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and our partners to examine the risk factors of platform work and study how to further strengthen safeguards to protect PWs from injuries at work. To this end, MOM has convened a PW Safety Workgroup comprising relevant government agencies, POs, NTUC and PWAs, which had its first meeting in March 2026. An area of focus is the higher incidence of injury experienced by PWs using two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes and power-assisted bicycles, safe usage of such vehicles, and how these can be collectively addressed by all stakeholders. The workgroup will share its findings and recommendations when ready.