Only 17% food delivery riders consider themselves financially free

SINGAPORE: The recently released results of an online survey conducted by insurance company Singlife in July showed alarming statistics concerning the financial well-being of food delivery riders. The study revealed that a mere 17 per cent of the 500 food delivery riders surveyed consider themselves financially free, a significant 12 per cent lower than the average Singaporean consumer.

Financial freedom, deemed very important by only half of the respondents, remains elusive for these gig economy workers. Astonishingly, only 10 per cent of food delivery riders express confidence in their ability to cope with the escalating prices and inflationary pressures. Equally concerning is the apparent lack of emphasis on retirement planning, as only 10 per cent of surveyed riders have taken steps towards ensuring a financially secure future.

Singlife’s investigation extended beyond surveys, including interviews with major platform operators such as Grab, Gojek, Deliveroo, and foodpanda.

While these businesses acknowledged the principle of compulsory workplace injury insurance for food delivery riders, they voiced apprehensions about the challenges associated with implementing the Workers’ Compensation Act. They emphasized the necessity of substantial investments in technology and operations, along with rigorous testing, to successfully implement policies that safeguard the well-being of these riders.

The survey results shed light on the precarious financial situations faced by food delivery riders, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive support measures and industry-wide initiatives to address their concerns.