Platform workers should not face penalties for haze-related delays

Platform operators have a responsibility not to penalise workers for delays attributable to haze conditions, Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau has said. Under the Platform Workers Act, operators bear workplace safety and health responsibilities towards their workers, which extends to protecting them from unfair treatment during adverse environmental conditions.

The guidance comes as Southeast Asia continues to grapple with seasonal haze that disrupts transportation and delivery services. Platform workers, who often operate on tight delivery schedules and face performance-based incentives, can be particularly vulnerable to financial penalties when external factors beyond their control impact their work.

The Platform Workers Act, which took effect in November 2021, established a framework to safeguard the interests of workers in the platform economy. The legislation requires platform operators to provide fair dispute resolution mechanisms and maintain transparent terms of engagement with their workers.

Lau's statement reinforces that workplace protections under the Act encompass reasonable accommodations during circumstances such as haze episodes. Operators are expected to review their penalty structures to account for factors beyond workers' control when assessing performance.