Grab to spend $4m a year on platform worker benefits

Come 2025, Grab will increase its spending on welfare for drivers and delivery workers who use its platform in Singapore to $4 million a year, said the ride-hailing and food delivery giant on Oct 3.

- Kok Yufeng

Ride-hailing firm Gojek also has plans to expand its range of benefits for drivers here over the next few months, a spokesperson told The Straits Times.

The developments come amid greater scrutiny over the well-being of private-hire drivers and freelance delivery workers, known collectively as platform workers.

Grab said its annual $4 million outlay, which will come from its operating budget, will be used to fund the company's existing GrabBenefits programme and new perks that will be introduced from Jan 1, 2025, as part of improvements to the benefits scheme.

The new perks include free annual flu jabs and subsidies for general practitioner (GP) and telemedicine consultations, capped at two visits per year and up to $45 per visit. These are limited to drivers and delivery riders in the top two tiers of Grab's rewards system.