Regulatory Measures against Systematic Base Fare Cuts by Platform Companies after Implementation of CPF Contribution Scheme

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the monthly median change in net take-home pay for platform workers who opted into the CPF contribution scheme since January 2025; (b) whether the Ministry has detected any systematic reduction in base fares or incentive premiums by platform operators that offsets the operator’s required share of contributions; and (c) what measures are implemented to prevent such practices.

Dr Tan See Leng: Between January and September 2025, the monthly median change in net-take home earnings 1 for platform workers who opted 2 to increase their CPF contributions beyond the mandatory MediSave contributions ranged from a decrease of 12.7% to an increase of 8.2%. No consistent trend was observed, as monthly earnings fluctuate depending on factors, such as hours worked and the seasonality of demand and supply.

We have not received any feedback from platform workers and Platform Work Associations that suggests systemic reduction in fares or incentive premiums due to CPF contributions. In September 2025, the Platform Workers Trilateral Group – comprising the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Transport, the National Trades Union Congress and major platform operators – released a set of industry-wide principles that establish baseline expectations for platform operators when setting and reviewing their fares and incentives. These principles include fair and transparent earnings for platform workers, as well as visibility on structural changes to incentive schemes. Platform workers may seek assistance from their registered Platform Work Associations if they have concerns with the way fares and incentives are set.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 42:

1 Net take-home earnings are calculated by gross earnings minus the Fixed Expense Deduction Amount (FEDA) and platform workers' share of the CPF contributions.

2 Based on opted-in platform workers who received increased CPF contributions in platform operators’ submissions for any of the months between January to September 2025. This does not include platform workers with no CPF contributions, as they earn below the respective income threshold, i.e., $50 or less in that month.