Commentary: Pressures of platform work in Singapore push drivers and riders to take risks
Platform workers operate in an environment shaped, in part, by the expectations of the people they serve, says SUSS’ Victor Seah.
Singapore's platform workers face a higher risk of fatal and major injury compared to workers in other sectors, according to the Ministry of Manpower's data. Four out of nine fatal incidents involving vehicles were attributed to platform workers, primarily delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers. These workers are more likely to be involved in vehicular incidents, which is a road safety problem rather than a conventional workplace safety issue.
The pressure to perform well and maintain ratings often leads to prosocial rule-breaking, where workers bend rules to serve customers and protect their income. This behavior, while not increasing performance or customer satisfaction, increases the risk of accidents. Addressing the structural conditions of platform work, improving access to safety initiatives, and investing in soft skills training can help mitigate these risks.
Policymakers, unions, and platform companies all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of platform workers.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
