More can be done, platform workers say in response to new recommendations

Some drivers call for measures like a review of base fares to tackle the issues they face

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan and Anjali Raguraman

Some private-hire car drivers are calling for measures such as a review of base fares as a more concrete step to tackling the issues they face, after a work group formed by the Government rolled out 10 recommendations to protect the livelihoods of local platform workers on Sept 11.

The group's recommendations also champion fairer, safer and more transparent payment structures and incentive schemes for around 67,600 regular platform workers, including private-hire car drivers and delivery riders.

The group urged platform operators to work with platform work associations to develop a set of industrywide principles for issues related to payment or incentive schemes, or both.

Platform workers said this was a positive step forward, but more needs to be done.

Private-hire car driver Kelvin Lam, 50, said raising base fares would have a more immediate impact on driver safety and welfare, and prevent drivers from spending long hours on the road and running into health issues.

"Our operating costs have gone up (in the last few years)... but the base fares have not gone up since June 2021," said Mr Lam, who has been a full-time Grab driver for eight years.

"With a 10 per cent increase (in the base fare), for example, drivers can hit their target and go home earlier, and they don't have to slog through 14 to 15 hours," said Mr Lam.

In May, a 49-year-old private-hire driver died from a stroke, having clocked 15-hour days to support his family.

Platform workers have for some time raised concerns over opaque payment and incentive schemes, causing them to work long hours for an uncertain income.