MOM, ILO call for global standards for data on digital platform work

This would help inform government policies to better protect platform workers' welfare

- Sharon Salim Business Correspondent

From left] Straits Times correspondent Tay Hong Yi moderating a fireside chat at the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work on Sept 29 featuring Singapore National Employers Federation CEO Hao Shuo, NTUC assistant secretary-general Yeo Wan Ling, Grab's group managing director Lim Yew Heng and Mr Elvin Tan, Persol's regional head of operations and director for the Asia-Pacific region.

(ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO)

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have called for more robust and consistent data on the rapidly expanding digital platform economy, so that better policies can be crafted to protect platform workers' incomes, job security and well-being.

There is currently no international standardisation of what digital platform work refers to or how it should be measured.

This would benefit an estimated 70,000 Singapore residents who perform platform work, such as delivery and ride-hailing drivers, professional freelancers and consultants.

At the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work on Sept 29, more than 150 global stakeholders from over 20 countries such as Vietnam, Morocco, India and Italy gathered at Sheraton Towers Singapore to address how the lack of reliable data is hindering effective policymaking for platform workers.

The global dialogue - a first of its kind in Singapore - aims to advance discussions leading up to the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028, which will table global standards on measuring digital platform employment.