Delayed or Missing CPF Contributions when Platform Workers Switch Platforms

Mr Speaker, since the enactment of the Platform Workers Act this year, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) has been closely monitoring the implementation of CPF contributions for platform workers. There were some teething issues as platform operators adjusted to the new requirements. This included instances where platform operators declared inaccurate earnings that resulted in platform workers receiving incorrect CPF contributions, due to administrative errors. Where such cases arose, they were promptly resolved and platform workers received their correct CPF contributions.

Overall, the CPF collection for platform workers has been smooth due to the extensive pre-implementation engagements with platform operators and platform associations to iron out operational details. We will continue to monitor the timeliness and accuracy of CPF contributions made by platform operators and work closely with our tripartite partners to ensure platform operators' interests are always protected. [Please refer to ​"Clarification by Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Manpower", Official Report, 04 November 2025, Vol 96, Issue 9, Correction By Written Statement section.]

Thank you, Speaker. I declare that I am the advisor to the Platform Work Associations of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). We are grateful that the Government had taken into account, with the passing of the Platform Workers Bill, our platform workers' feedback on the need for retirement adequacy through fair platform worker contributions to CPF. I, too, appreciate that the roll-out process for CPF is a complex one, given the difference in work conditions between a full-time employee receiving one monthly set of wages from one employer, to that of a platform worker receiving multiple sets of daily or even weekly wages due to the multi-homing nature of platform work.

In the current CPF process, workers have given the feedback that they do not enjoy CPF contributions for up to two months when they first join a new platform operator. They are also doubly penalised, as most platforms provide special sign-on incentives in the first month of work. I appreciate that the Ministry recognises this gap and is remedying the current operational processes. In recognising this gap, will the Ministry, too, also consider introducing measures to mandate CPF contributions from their first month of work and to provide joint back payments with platform operators to those affected platform workers who had missed out on their rightful CPF contributions for their work done?

Mr Speaker, when an existing platform worker chooses to join or switch to another platform operator, the platform operator would not know the platform worker's opt-in status during onboarding. And given different join dates and opt-in statuses, platform operators will need some lead time to query the opt-in information, update their database and update their contribution rates in their system accordingly.

A cut-off date on the 15th of each month is applied, which balances between the operational ease of platform operators and ensuring sufficient time for accurate contributions, while minimising this particular impact to platform workers in building up their CPF savings. This also means that if an opt-in platform worker onboard a new platform operator on 16 February, that platform operator will apply the higher CPF contribution rate from 1 April. All earnings payable from 16 February to 31 March would continue to attract CPF contributions at the non-opt-in rate. This payment does not constitute the delayed CPF contributions as the cut-off date, which is the 15th of the month, is currently legislated under the Fourth Schedule of the CPF Act.

The Ministry of Manpower has also considered requiring back payment of the CPF contributions. However, we assessed that this might not be favourable for the platform workers who experience inconsistent monthly earnings. Those who do not set aside enough cash savings might find themselves cash strapped when platform workers deduct the platform workers' share of the CPF contributions from their back pay. [Please refer to ​"Clarification by Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Manpower", Official Report, 04 November 2025, Vol 96, Issue 9, Correction By Written Statement section.]

Nonetheless, following the feedback, we have started engaging platform operators to assess whether the existing arrangement could be made more efficient while balancing the operational requirements. In doing so, it is important to strike a balance between the platform workers' interest and what is practical for the platform operators to administer, as any arrangement must ultimately be workable in practice.