Platform workers still face healthcare gap despite legal protections

foodpanda and Singlife launched a clinic-discount programme in August.

Prabhu Salarajoo, a foodpanda rider of more than 10 years, sometimes delays doctor and dental visits because of the cost, highlighting a healthcare gap that remains for Singapore's platform workers despite recent legal protections.

“With rising living costs, medical expenses can really add up,” Salarajoo, 37, told Insurance Asia in an emailed reply to questions. “I tend to procrastinate on visiting the doctor or going to a dentist because specialised care can be quite pricey.”

Singapore's Platform Workers Act covers work injuries, Central Provident Fund contributions, and representation rights, but does not provide routine outpatient medical benefits.

Singapore Life Ltd. (Singlife) and Delivery Hero (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., which operates foodpanda in Singapore, launched RiderCare on 1 August to give active riders access to lower rates at more than 1,000 clinics.

“As there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, any support framework needs to value how delivery partners work,” Ervin Lim, director of Logistics at foodpanda, said in an emailed reply to questions.

He said unexpected medical expenses remain a common challenge for riders and could add pressure to their daily lives.

The programme comes as insurers and platform operators look for ways to extend healthcare support to workers whose income and working hours can vary from month to month.

Work injury protection covers medical expenses and income losses linked to work accidents. It does not cover illnesses or treatment unrelated to workplace injuries.

The Ministry of Manpower counted 71,600 regular platform workers in 2025, equivalent to 2.9% of employed residents. Delivery workers accounted for 14,700 of the total.

Healthcare costs are also rising. Willis Towers Watson Plc expects medical costs in Singapore to rise 16.9% in 2026, compared with 15.5% last year.

Akhil Doegar, group head of distribution at Singlife, said healthcare and medical expenses are the second-biggest concern amongst platform workers.

Sixty percent of platform workers cited healthcare costs as a concern, compared with 45% of nonplatform workers, according to a Singlife report published in September 2025.

“This includes specialist consultations for follow-up care, preventive health screenings that support early detection, and mental wellness resources that help individuals better manage the physical and emotional demands of their work,” Doegar said in an emailed reply to questions.

RiderCare provides access to general practitioner consultations, teleconsultations, specialist care, dental treatment, physiotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, health screenings, and mental wellness services.

“The preferred rates are made possible through HMI Managed Healthcare's extensive healthcare provider network and negotiated arrangements with participating providers,” Doegar said.

The programme is open to eligible active foodpanda delivery partners without an enrolment fee.