SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025 – CDG ZIG Pte. Ltd. (CDG Zig) today became Singapore’s first platform operator to formally recognise the National Taxi Association (NTA) and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) as Platform Work Associations, under the Platform Workers Act.

NTA and NPHVA will officially represent CDG Zig’s taxi and private-hire driver partners, setting an example for other platform operators to work together in addressing platform workers’ challenges.

Tommy Tan, CEO of ComfortDelGro Taxi, said, “CDG Zig is dedicated to creating a comprehensive ecosystem for our drivers, we invest over S$5.5 million annually in programmes aimed at improving their welfare and livelihoods. We are committed to protecting drivers’ rights, identifying sustainable ways to help our cabbies and private hire drivers enhance their earnings, welfare and benefits. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with the NTA and NPHVA, and to making a difference to our driver partners and their families.”

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Advisor to NPHVA and NTA, Yeo Wan Ling, said: “NTUC, NTA and NPHVA have long championed better earnings, welfare and work prospects for platform workers. CDG Zig’s formal recognition of NTA and NPHVA marks a significant milestone in strengthening the voice of our platform workers with one of Singapore’s largest taxi and private-hire operators. Through structured dialogue, we can better address concerns that matter a lot to the drivers, like earnings protection and work safety. We look forward to building on our established partnership with CDG Zig to create meaningful impact on our workers’ lives and livelihoods.”

Building on Years of Partnership

Through a longstanding partnership spanning over a decade, the NTA since 2010, and NPHVA since 2016, have collaborated with ComfortDelGro to enhance drivers’ earnings, working conditions and welfare. For example, as one of Singapore’s largest taxi operators, ComfortDelGro’s partnership has been important in supporting drivers through digital transformation, with its CDG Zig App enabling taxi drivers to take on online bookings on top of their street-hail services.

Delivering Better Outcomes for Drivers

Even before the passing of the Platform Workers Act, CDG Zig, NTA and NPHVA have been working together to address platform workers’ concerns, such as improving the CDG Zig App to make it more user-friendly for drivers to accept jobs; implementing welfare programmes to improve the well-being of drivers; and establishing fairer fare structures that benefit drivers and passengers.

As a testament to their close working relationship, CDG Zig, NTA and NPHVA actively engage with CDG Zig’s driver-partner community to address platform workers’ queries such as the CPF contributions and workplace safety, in relation to the new legislative protections.

Enhanced Protection for Platform Work Association Members

With the formal recognition by CDG Zig, NTA and NPHVA’s members can access more channels to resolve their workplace concerns fairly and effectively, such as conciliation with the Ministry of Manpower and the Industrial Arbitration Court, when necessary.

Ken Tan, President, National Taxi Association, and Joseph Goh Say Sing, General Secretary, National Private Hire Vehicles Association said, “This recognition by CDG Zig is a major win for platform workers. Having formal channels to address workplace issues means better protection for our members’ interests. Working together with CDG Zig, NTA and NPHVA can now more effectively improve the lives and livelihoods of our taxi and private-hire drivers.”

Platform Workers Act Strengthens Protections

The Platform Workers Act, which took effect in January 2025, was championed by NTUC to strengthen protections for platform workers. Through NTUC’s advocacy, the Platform Workers Act also introduced key measures including Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for housing and retirement adequacy.

The Act also ensures better protection of platform workers’ livelihoods by providing work injury compensation through the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). Platform workers who are NTUC members will also receive $250 worth of grocery vouchers to purchase daily necessities.