Nine in ten delivery riders are satisfied with the work they do, but a majority feel that the stress and challenges they face are often underestimated or excluded from the current conversation on the gig economy’s future.
Blackbox Research, a decision science solutions and advisory firm, conducted a study between September and October 2021, surveying 175 food delivery riders in Singapore.
The survey pool comprised delivery riders working for Deliveroo, foodpanda and Grab.
The research showed that 99 per cent of delivery riders in Singapore have high job satisfaction and financial security, said Blackbox in a media release on Mar 23.
Findings show delivery riders value the flexibility and independence gig work provides.
The gig economy has played a crucial role in job creation, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the industry evolves, the need to provide workers in this sector with institutional support has reached a new high, noted Blackbox.
The study touched on upskilling, with 82 per cent of respondents noting their work offers them sufficient opportunities for career growth.
On insurance, all three platforms offer personal accident insurance for their riders free of charge, although 74 per cent of the respondents have personal accident insurance plans.
“How much they value the non-traditional work approach is also reflected in delivery riders’ preference to maintain control over their finances instead of contributing towards CPF (Central Provident Fund),” noted Blackbox.
“Nearly half (45 per cent) of those surveyed are currently not contributing to their CPF Medisave account, and only 22 per cent said they would be compelled to do so if the Government made it compulsory.”
Better understanding needed to ensure future policies are effective
Despite an overwhelming majority of the surveyed riders reporting high job satisfaction and financial security, they feel that public conversation and debate do not paint “an accurate picture of the industry.”
The study shows that 75 per cent believe their work is often misunderstood, and 93 per cent feel that the stress and challenges of their work are often underestimated by members of the public.
“The two most revealing insights in our study is the high levels of job satisfaction and financial security Singapore delivery riders derive from their work, which contrasts with what we often see in other surveys covering non-professional work,” said Blackbox chief executive David Black.
“Secondly, delivery riders are often aghast at what is written and said about them, as it is at odds with their own experiences.”
“Industry players now need to focus their attention on enhancing the rights of workers while balancing the need for flexibility in this working model.”
“We should recognise the current setup that riders have in making their own economic choice to enter and stay in the gig economy is important to them,” he added.
Mr Black urged policymakers in Singapore not to fall into the same trap of imposing “questionable regulations” like in other countries.
Furthermore, there is a need for greater awareness of government grants and schemes as only 17 per cent were aware of the available financial support schemes.
“Moving forward, it would be beneficial for policymakers to connect with riders to not only clearly demonstrate the benefits of existing initiatives, but also involve them in the co-creation of policies, grants and schemes that are geared towards them. This will aid in the effectiveness, impact and take-up of such policies and programs,” said Mr Black.
Blackbox was established in 2001 in Singapore, working with local and global entities across the public, private and social sectors.
Read the complete findings here./TISG
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