Expanded programme sees $4 million annual investment from Grab for driver, rider welfare
Grab Singapore is investing $4 million as part of an expanded comprehensive benefits programme for its drivers and delivery partners.
The programme, GrabBenefits 2.0, aims to boost the welfare of platform workers by providing support for common health-related expenses, income assistance, upskilling, and education opportunities.
"We launched the first version of our GrabBenefits programme back in 2018. With the latest industry development, it is timely for us to revamp our programme to ensure the benefits we offer partners are meaningful and relevant," said Yee Wee Tang, Managing Director of Grab Singapore, in a statement.
"Our enhanced benefits, together with the new regulatory protections, will offer a holistic end-to-end care package for partners that covers both their immediate and long-term needs."
What's under GrabBenefits 2.0?
The benefits under GrabBenefits 2.0 will be granted starting January 2025. They include:
- Subsidies for doctor visits and new access to telemedicine services. Grab will subsidise $45 for an eligible partner's medical bill of $50 when they visit a general practitioner or engage in telemedicine services. This is available for two visits a year.
- Complimentary preventive healthcare services. Grab will also sponsor flu vaccination for selected partners once a year.
- Complimentary wellness services. Grab will offer free massages to partners at least once every quarter via an all-new GrabBenefits Partner Welfare Van.
- Complimentary Platform Work Associations membership. Grab will sponsor six months of association membership for new member sign-ups to encourage partners to join the NTUC Platform Work Associations.
Source: Grab Singapore
"Majority of our partners told us they would like greater support in managing healthcare expenses, and this is why GrabBenefits 2.0 will offer more subsidies in this area," Yee said.
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According to Grab, the new benefits programme also aims to complement the recently enacted Platform Workers Act 2024, which recognises platform workers as a distinct and separate labour class and grants them protections.
Feedback contributes to employee benefits
Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of the NTUC, said the launch of the upgraded GrabBenefits 2.0 programme is an "important step for platform workers' welfare."
"It is encouraging to see Grab taking our associations' and workers' feedback seriously and this shows that when platform operators and workers' associations come together, we can make meaningful progress," Ng said during the launch of the upgraded GrabBenefits 2.0.
"NTUC looks forward to expanding on these efforts by continuing our partnership with Grab to advocate for workers' interests in earnings, welfare, and work prospects."