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Grab officially recognises NPHVA and NDCA to represent its platform workers
The move follows an earlier agreement to strengthen workers’ rights, marking a significant milestone in platform workers’ representation.From left to right: NDCA Executive Secretary Andy Ang, Associations' Advisor Yeo Wan Ling, Grab Singapore Managing Director Yee Wee Tang, Grab Singapore Head of Transport and Country Operations Alvin Wee, and NPHVA Executive Secretary Raven Lee.
Grab’s drivers and delivery riders now have a more substantial legal avenue to voice their issues and grievances.
On 7 March 2025, Grab Singapore officially recognised the NTUC-affiliated National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) and the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) as representatives for these workers, collectively known as platform workers, in workplace matters under the Platform Workers Act.
This recognition, announced in a joint press release, grants the associations unprecedented legal powers to raise work-related concerns with the Ministry of Manpower, if necessary.
Grab is the second platform operator to empower its workers, following ComfortDelGro’s CDG Zig, which recognised the NPHVA and the National Taxi Association for its taxi and private-hire driver partners on 20 February 2025.
Both NTUC and the associations hail this recognition as a significant step toward securing the futures of platform workers.
“This recognition provides platform workers with additional support channels to access training and raise necessary work concerns in a structured manner,” said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling, who also serves as an advisor to both associations.
“As representatives of delivery and private-hire driver partners, this formal recognition is an important development for our platform workers. It will strengthen our members’ collective voice and ensure they can benefit from additional support when needed,” added NDCA President Ng Gan Poh and NPHVA General Secretary Joseph Goh, who urged more workers to join the associations.
Grab’s move continues the company’s commitment to uplift workers' lives in partnership with NTUC and the associations.
In 2023, Grab signed an agreement with the NPHVA and NDCA to work towards recognition, upskilling, cost-defraying, and boosting productivity.
Last October, the ride-hailing and food delivery giant launched an annual $4 million welfare programme to sponsor a six-month NTUC platform worker association membership and provide subsidised healthcare services and wellness benefits. These benefits took effect on 1 January this year.
“This formal recognition reflects the shared commitment we have with NDCA and NPHVA in improving platform worker welfare. NDCA and NPHVA have been invaluable partners to Grab and our delivery- and driver-partners,” said Grab Singapore Head of Transport and Country Alvin Wee.
The Power of Platform Worker Associations
On 7 January this year, the Ministry officially registered the NPHVA, NDCA, and the National Taxi Association (NTA) as the representative organisations for platform workers’ rights under the Act.
Under the law, these associations now possess legal powers similar to trade unions, enabling them to represent platform workers who could not previously be unionised.
The associations can negotiate legally binding collective agreements with platform operators such as Grab and CDG Zig.
Through these agreements, the NDCA, NPHVA, and NTA can formally negotiate critical issues, including fair compensation, working conditions, and safety measures—areas where they previously had limited representation.
The associations bring a wealth of experience to their new status, having advocated for the rights of platform workers for over a decade. Their established track record positions them to effectively champion workers’ interests in the platform industry’s evolving landscape.
The Journey to Better Rights
The path to improved rights for taxi drivers, private-hire drivers, and delivery workers has been a hard-fought battle for NTUC and its tripartite partners.
The partners have embarked on a journey since 2021 to address the unique challenges faced by this group of workers, culminating in the Platform Workers Act.
From 1 January this year, the landmark law categorises these workers distinctly, placing them between employees and the self-employed.
The law is powerful because it allows these workers, who cannot be unionised in the traditional sense, to enjoy the best of both worlds—the freedom to operate as freelance agents while benefiting from employee-like statutory protections.
In addition to legal representation through the associations, over 70,000 platform workers will benefit from CPF contributions to support their housing and retirement adequacy, and work-injury compensation.
Keen to get your voice heard? Join your respective association through these channels: