Insurers should not be the final arbiter of work injury claim disputes as this does not ensure fairness for gig workers and the platform companies that hire them, said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon on Tuesday.
Tapping existing private insurance products to provide the same level of coverage for gig workers as employees here will also lead to higher business costs, he told Parliament, as he rejected suggestions from the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) that tweaks to current solutions can offer protections on a par with the Work Injury Compensation Act (Wica).
"If it was so viable, why didn't the insurers and the platform companies suggest this earlier when there were workers who were injured (or died) while on the job?" he asked, echoing a question posed by Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC) on the issue.
"Given the confidence that GIA has on the efficiency of existing products and policies... I would suggest that GIA members work closely with platform companies to offer financial protection and compensation for these workers at the level of Wica as soon as possible by the first quarter of next year, hopefully - using their existing products while maintaining the cost of premiums at parity with Wica insurance products," Dr Koh said.
"This will provide better coverage for workers in the interim and keep costs manageable for platform companies and consumers, while we work on the implementation details of Wica for this group of workers," he added.
This story is from the November 30, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 30, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PACIFIC VAMPIRE AGAIN RUTHLESS
Two-out-of-two from Jason Ong’s newest revelation may open the door to 4YO riches
BURRIDGE WILL NOT HASTEN NEXT MOVE
Softer option works for honest 3YO, but veteran trainer may revisit Guineas plans
Over 200,000 workers gained Skills via company training panels
NTUC says such committees also help firms transform by harnessing digital tools
AIA S’pore invests over 20m In new wealth team and centre
Insurer is targeting the growing affluent population in the region
Singtel shares drop after it warns of $3.lb impairment provisions
Telecoms giant expects second-half net loss but says dividend payments won’ be hit
Yen rises against US dollar, Singdollar on suspected govt intervention
Japanese banks said to be selling greenback for yen as currency plunged to 34-year low
Kindergarten in the 'heart' of Joo Chiat has stories to tell
Site was where notable political steps were taken by Goh Chok Tong and Teo Chee Hean
Over 800 speeding violations caught via red-light cameras in three weeks
Traffic Police’s activation of key function has expanded enforcement tools against violators
Many Ukrainian ex-POWs suffer lingering traumas
They have injuries from torture and sexual violence, but do not get adequate treatment
ICC preparing arrest warrants over Gaza war: Israeli officials
Warrants could name officials from both Hamas and Israel, including Netanyahu