ACOP for Platform Services Gazetted to Enhance Safety and Well-Being of Platform Workers

27 Dec 2024 Press Releases

1. The Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Platform Services has been gazetted to provide practical guidance for Platform Operators to ensure the safety and health of delivery and ride-hail Platform Workers. In line with the commencement of the Platform Workers Act, the ACOP will be gazetted to take effect from 1 January 2025.
   
   
2. Under the Platform Workers Act, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Act (WSHA) will be amended. The amendments will clarify Platform Operators’ responsibility for the safety and health of Platform Workers when at work, and Platform Workers’ responsibility to cooperate with Platform Operators on safety measures. Adopting measures under the ACOP can be a mitigating factor in criminal proceedings under the WSHA as doing so demonstrates that reasonably practicable safety measures have been taken by the Platform Operator and Platform Worker. Please see Annex A for a summary of areas covered under the ACOP.
   
   
3. The ACOP was developed by the WSH Council and the Ministry of Manpower, in consultation with the industry and Platform Work associations, and incorporating feedback from a public consultation conducted in September 2024. The full list of industry stakeholders involved in developing the ACOP is in Annex B.
   
   
4. In support of the ACOP, a spokesperson from the Digital Platform Industry Association (DPIA) said, “DPIA welcomes the introduction of the ACOP. Over the past few months, DPIA has worked closely with the Council to provide feedback. DPIA members prioritise platform worker safety and have existing measures that are aligned with the ACOP, such as providing road safety training to partners, not penalising delivery delays, and supporting partners with larger delivery orders. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Council and other stakeholders to further strengthen safety standards for platform workers.”
   
   
5. The ACOP is also supported by the NTUC-affiliated associations, namely the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), and the National Taxi Association (NTA). Mr Ng Gan Poh, General Secretary of the NDCA, said, “As NDCA represents delivery riders, we are pleased that our feedback has been incorporated into these guidelines. The clear rules on handling heavy deliveries and protecting riders from penalties, or reduction in compensation, when splitting large orders are important improvements. Together with guidelines on working in hot weather, this Code marks good progress in addressing the real challenges our riders face daily."
   
   
6. Mr Joseph Goh, General Secretary of the NPHVA said, “The NPHVA believes that the introduction of the ACOP for Platform Workers is a significant step forward in ensuring safer and fairer working conditions. Our drivers may sometimes drive long hours to earn their keep, so it is important that the Code sets expectations for platforms to help manage driver fatigue. NPHVA encourages our PHV drivers to mind their well-being by taking regular breaks, managing their working hours, and staying aware of their limits. NPHVA fully supports these practical guidelines as essential steps toward safer working conditions.”
   
   
7. Mr Ken Tan, President of the NTA said “Having provided feedback to this ACOP, NTA supports the guidelines on rest breaks and managing fatigue for taxi drivers. The rules protect drivers from penalties when prioritising safety, especially in bad weather, helping keep both drivers and passengers safe while maintaining service standards.”
   
   
8. The ACOP demonstrates the industry’s and Platform Work Associations’ commitment towards the safety of Platform Workers, by articulating what the tripartite partners have agreed to be good safety standards for platform services.