'Still have to work no matter what': Food delivery riders torn between health and income during haze

Food delivery riders are being forced to choose between their health and income as the haze continues to worsen in Singapore, according to reports. Despite being told to take precautions against the health risks of the haze, riders like Suhada Abdullah, a 52-year-old single mother of five who delivers for GrabFood, continue to work long hours each day.

With five children to support, she relies on her earnings to pay for housing, groceries, and motorcycle-related costs. She admits that the haze has made her delivery rides more difficult, but she says she has no choice but to keep working. Other riders, such as Shawn Lim and Evan Gan, have experienced similar trade-offs, where taking time off due to illness or poor air quality could mean losing income.

While government officials have emphasized that platform workers should not be penalized for delivery delays during the haze, riders are still worried about how the conditions could affect their earnings. GrabFood rider Siti Muhaini, a mother of seven, expressed concern that she may have to work longer hours to make up for lost income.

Delivery platforms such as Grab and Foodpanda have introduced measures to protect riders, including air quality alerts, distribution of N95 masks, and flexible scheduling options. However, some riders have reported discomfort from wearing the masks for long periods, particularly when making deliveries on two wheels.