Members of public can report illegal platform work by foreigners via new online channels

To strengthen enforcement against illegal platform work in Singapore, members of the public can now report to the government any foreigners they suspect to be committing such offences.

The illegal activities include the misuse of platform workers' accounts, providing illegal cross-border trips and trips within Singapore, and providing rides matched via unlicensed channels such as Telegram chatgroups.

New dedicated reporting channels have been created by the government and the Platform Work Associations (PWAs), Senior Minister of State Manpower Koh Poh Koon announced on Sep. 11.

Platform workers and members of the public can submit reports on illegal ride-hailing services by foreign-registered cars at LTA’s OneMotoring website.

They can also report illegal platform delivery work by foreigners at MOM's “Report an Infringement” webpage.

To protect platform workers

The new reporting channels were introduced as part of ten recommendations by Platform Workers Trilateral Group to safeguard platform workers’ livelihoods, safety, and well-being.

Announced on Sep. 11, the recommendations address foreigners' misuse of local platform workers' accounts, illegal point-to-point (P2P) rides, and fairness and safety in the platform sector.

At a press conference, Koh encouraged platform workers and the public to use the reporting channels rather than taking it upon themselves to confront suspected offenders.

This, he said, is for the safety of themselves and others.

This move will send a "strong signal" to deter people from committing illegal activities in the platform sector, Koh said.

Apart from the reporting channels, Koh also announced new penalties for local platform workers who abet these activities by allowing foreigners to misuse their platform accounts.

If they have reasonable suspicion of any local worker doing so, platform operators are now required to notify MOM.

If MOM’s investigations reveal that an offence has been committed, operators engaged by the Trilateral Group will debar the local worker for at least 24 months.

These platform operators are ComfortDelGro Zig, Deliveroo, foodpanda, Gojek, Grab, Lalamove, Ryde, TADA, and AmazonFlex.

Top images from Koh Poh Koon/Facebook and MOM