New safety drive targets platform workers as deaths spike

Platform workers have become the focus of a new safety initiative as workplace deaths continue to rise in the region. Four gig economy workers were among 21 workplace fatalities recorded in the first half of 2026, prompting authorities to launch targeted defensive riding workshops.

The training programme is designed to equip delivery and transport workers with advanced safety skills to navigate increasingly congested urban environments. By focusing on hazard awareness, evasive maneuvers, and vehicle control techniques, the workshops aim to reduce accidents and fatalities among the growing number of platform-based riders.

Government officials have set an ambitious target of training 1,400 riders over a two-year period, signaling a commitment to improving occupational safety in the gig economy sector. The initiative addresses longstanding concerns about the working conditions and vulnerability of platform workers, who often operate with minimal employment protections or safety oversight.

The workshops come amid broader scrutiny of gig economy working practices across South and Southeast Asia, where rapid growth in ride-sharing and delivery services has outpaced regulatory frameworks. Authorities say the training programme represents a practical step toward reducing preventable accidents while industry stakeholders continue discussions on comprehensive worker protections.