Work injury compensation for Platform Workers: Complete guide to Singapore’s new protection system

Platform workers in Singapore, including ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders, now have access to comprehensive work injury compensation for the first time.

The new mandatory system, which took effect on 1 January 2025, represents a significant shift in worker protection, bringing platform workers closer to the safety net enjoyed by traditional employees under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA).

Understanding WICA: The foundation of worker protection

WICA has long provided Singapore employees with a ‘no-fault’ compensation system for work-related injuries.

This means workers can claim compensation regardless of who caused the accident without needing to file expensive and time-consuming civil lawsuits.

Previously, this protection was only available to traditional employees under contracts of service, leaving platform workers without coverage despite facing significant occupational risks.

The Platform Workers Act 2024 extends WICA’s proven framework to ensure platform workers receive the same level of protection as their traditionally employed counterparts.

Who is covered under the new system?

The expanded work injury compensation system now covers platform workers who contract with platform operators to provide services. This includes:

• Private-hire drivers working for platforms like Grab and Gojek
  
  
• Delivery riders for services like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Deliveroo
  
  
• Other platform-based service providers, as defined under the Platform Workers Act

Platform workers are covered under the existing WICA, which protects all local and foreign employees under contracts of service or apprenticeship, regardless of salary, age, or nationality.

The system maintains exclusions for independent contractors (outside platform work), self-employed persons, domestic workers, and uniformed personnel, including SAF, Police, and SCDF members.

Comprehensive coverage: What’s included

Medical expenses coverage

Platform operators must cover all medical expenses related to work accidents up to $53,000 or one year from the date of the accident, whichever comes first (increased from $45,000 as of 1 November 2025).

This matches the coverage provided to traditional employees and includes hospital treatment, surgery, rehabilitation services, and other necessary medical care directly related to work injuries.

Workers no longer need to choose between seeking proper medical treatment and managing overwhelming medical costs – the coverage is automatic and comprehensive.

Medical leave wages

Platform workers receive compensation for days they are medically certified as unfit for work due to their injury.

This provides crucial income support during recovery periods, ensuring workers can focus on healing without financial stress.

Permanent incapacity benefits

For injuries resulting in permanent loss of earning capacity, platform workers receive compensation calculated using the same formula applied to traditional employees.

The compensation amount depends on the worker’s average monthly earnings, age, and degree of incapacity.

Current compensation limits (effective 1 November 2025):

• Maximum: $346,000 for total permanent incapacity
  
  
• Minimum: $116,000
  
  
• Partial incapacity: Prorated based on the degree of disability
  
  
• Total incapacity bonus: An additional 25 per cent of the compensation amount

Death benefits

In the tragic event of a work-related fatality, dependents receive lump sum compensation ranging from $91,000 to $269,000 (increased from $76,000-$225,000 as of 1 November 2025).

This financial support helps families cope with the loss of their primary income earner.

Multiple platform coverage

For workers who operate across multiple platforms, the system includes special provisions for liability sharing.

If a worker is injured while working for multiple operators, compensation liability is divided proportionally based on the worker’s earnings from each platform.

This ensures comprehensive coverage regardless of complex work arrangements.

How platform operators must comply

Mandatory insurance requirements

Platform operators must purchase Work Injury Compensation insurance from designated insurers approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

This mirrors the existing requirement for traditional employers, who must purchase WIC insurance for all manual workers and non-manual workers earning $2,600 per month or less.

As of today, six insurers are authorised to provide platform worker WIC coverage.

Platform operators cannot legally operate without this mandatory insurance coverage, ensuring all workers are protected from their first day of work.

Non-discrimination protections

The system includes strong anti-discrimination provisions.

Designated insurers must provide coverage for all platform workers without discrimination based on age, race, gender, health status, or occupation type.

They cannot cherry-pick low-risk workers or refuse coverage for certain categories of platform workers.

Enhanced support services

Designated insurers must provide dedicated support services, including hotlines and email support for claimants, with guaranteed response times (within three working days for hotline enquiries, and five working days for emails).

They must also submit annual audit reports to MOM, ensuring compliance with all requirements.

Streamlined claims process

Filing claims

The WICA system is designed to be faster and less costly than civil lawsuits, with no requirement for legal representation.

Platform workers who suffer work-related injuries should immediately notify their platform operator and seek medical attention.

The operator’s WIC insurance handles medical expenses and compensation claims, in accordance with established WICA procedures.

Claims are filed with MOM or through the employer’s designated insurer. The no-fault system means workers don’t need to prove negligence; they simply need to demonstrate that the injury occurred during work activities.

Documentation requirements

Workers should maintain records of their work schedules, earnings from different platforms, and any work-related incidents to support potential claims.

Platform operators typically provide digital records of work activities, which can serve as evidence for claims.

Time limits and exclusions

Claims must be reported and filed within specified time limits to remain valid.

The system excludes injuries resulting from willful misconduct, self-inflicted harm, or intoxication, maintaining the same standards applied to traditional employees.

Comparison with traditional employee coverage

The new system provides platform workers with protection that mirrors traditional employee benefits:

• Same medical expense coverage limits
  
  
• Identical compensation calculation methods for permanent incapacity and death
  
  
• Equal access to dispute resolution mechanisms
  
  
• Comparable claims processing timelines
  
  
• The same exclusions for misconduct or self-inflicted injuries

Implementation timeline and key milestones

The comprehensive rollout followed a structured timeline, ensuring smooth implementation:

This phased approach allowed platform operators and insurance providers time to prepare systems and processes before the mandatory deadline.

Looking ahead: The future of platform worker protection

The new work injury compensation system marks the beginning of enhanced protections for Singapore’s platform workers.

Understanding these protections is crucial for working with confidence and financial security.

Need assistance with work injury compensation or want to learn more about platform worker protections?

Contact your platform operator’s support team, NTUC’s platform-worker associations, or visit the MOM website for detailed guidance.

Remember, this protection is mandatory and automatically available – no additional insurance purchase or special steps are required.