Latest news with #deliveryServices
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trilateral workgroup formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work
SINGAPORE – A workgroup has been formed by the Government, following a call by the labour movement to tackle the issue of foreigners illegally doing delivery work here, and impacting the earnings of platform workers. The trilateral work group consists of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Grab Singapore as well as the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) along with its affiliated associations. In a joint statement on July 4, MOM and MOT said that the group will be overseen by Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Transport Sun Xueling, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, and Grab's group managing director of operations Yee Wee Tang. This comes after Mr Ng had earlier on July 4 called on the Government to form such a workgroup to address the issue, as well as other challenges facing platform workers, who contract with platform operators to provide services, primarily in ride hailing and delivery. Their ranks here include private-hire drivers working for companies like Grab and Gojek, and delivery riders for services like GrabFood, foodpanda and Deliveroo. Mr Ng said in a statement: 'Our platform workers are vulnerable, as they face a variety of challenges in making a living. It is not right that they suffer from reduced earnings due to competition from illegal workers.' NTUC said it had received feedback of such illegal practices through its regular engagement with platform workers. 'Some of these foreigners illegally take on delivery jobs directly on platforms by misusing accounts,' said NTUC. 'This is not allowed, as platform work can only be undertaken by Singaporeans.' NTUC also noted that platform operators here are allowed to outsource delivery jobs to other companies, which can hire foreigners with work permits to fulfill the jobs. However, there have been reports of some foreigners illegally performing such jobs without work permits, it added. 'This creates illegal or unfair competition for our delivery workers, and it has a direct impact on their earnings,' it added. This latest problem comes on top of other challenges that platform workers already face, such as income instability, noted NTUC. Such instability can be caused by drivers or riders having a lack of clarity on what kind of jobs they will be allocated and how much they will earn, as these are determined by algorithms. Platform companies also have incentive schemes that encourage longer working hours, which can lead to safety issues, it added. The labour movement noted that, in the past year, unauthorised ride-hailing services have also sprouted up on messaging apps like Telegram, eating into the ride-hailing pie and reducing the earnings of private-hire drivers. MOM and MOT said the trilateral group will collectively address these challenges faced by the workers and 'safeguard their well-being in view of the rapidly evolving platform economy'. The ministries added that the proactive participation of Grab, a key player in Singapore's platform economy, sends a strong signal on the commitment of platform operators in collaborating with the Government and NTUC to address salient issues. 'We will explore bringing the other platform operators into the discussions subsequently,' said the ministries. A Grab spokesman said in a statement that the company is committed to working alongside the Government, NTUC, and other platform operators to stamp out illegal delivery services and safeguard the livelihoods of platform workers. The spokesman added that Grab has measures in place to prevent foreigners from registering as platform workers, and will work as part of the group to share and co-develop best practices. The ministries also said that the new trilateral group will be a regular platform for the Government to support efforts to resolve issues that may require regulatory intervention. In a Facebook post, Mr Ng said that NTUC and its associations – the National Delivery Champions Association, the National Private Hire Vehicles Association, and the National Taxi Association – have successfully championed the rights of platform workers through the passage of the Platform Workers Act, which came into effect in 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 黄志明 (@ Under the Act, platform operators are required to provide work injury compensation insurance for platform workers and to pay more in Central Provident Fund contributions, among other things. 'But more must be done, and quickly,' he added. This is as challenges such as foreigners doing delivery jobs illegally make it harder for platform workers to earn a stable income to support themselves and their families, he said. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Emma Gilthorpe resigns as Royal Mail chief executive after just a year
The chief executive of Royal Mail has left after just over a year, weeks after the delivery company's owner was sold for £3.6bn to a Czech billionaire. Emma Gilthorpe, who joined from Heathrow airport in May 2024, left the company on Thursday, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the chief operating officer, Alistair Cochrane, with immediate effect, the Guardian has learned. Daniel Křetínský completed a deal to buy International Distribution Services (IDS), the owner of the 509-year-old Royal Mail, in April. A group of existing IDS non-executive directors, including the chair, Keith Williams, resigned earlier this month. However, the company had made no mention of Gilthorpe's future after the deal. She had been the chief operating officer at Heathrow airport since 2020, and joined Royal Mail in a newly created role under Martin Seidenberg, who is chief executive of IDS. Gilthorpe had also held positions in the telecoms industry, with BT and Cable & Wireless. She said: 'I will always be incredibly proud to have led Royal Mail … I look forward to seeing Royal Mail continue to transform in the years ahead, ensuring a stronger and more sustainable future for this great British company.' Cochrane joined Royal Mail in 2023 from the delivery company Whistl, where he was chief executive. He has also held senior roles at TNT Express and Parcelforce Worldwide. He becomes Royal Mail's fourth boss in three years. Seidenberg, who had responsibility for the division before Gilthorpe was installed, replaced Simon Thompson, who stepped down in 2023 after only two years following an acrimonious tussle with unions. Thompson had become the latest in a line of executives to clash with unions as they attempted to overhaul the company after its privatisation in 2013. Seidenberg said: 'Emma has worked tirelessly to drive forward Royal Mail's transformation, and I would like to extend my personal thanks to her for the significant contribution she has made to the company.' He added: 'Alistair Cochrane is an exceptional leader and brings significant experience to his new role from across the logistics industry, and from his time with us at both Royal Mail and Parcelforce.' In May, the industry regulator, Ofcom, launched an investigation into Royal Mail's quality of service after almost a quarter of first-class post last year arrived late. The target is for 93% of first-class items to arrive within one working day. Consumers and businesses have lamented the standard of service, complaining about delivery delays and higher stamp prices. In April, the price of a first-class stamp rose by 5p, or 3%, to £1.70 – the sixth increase in little more than three years. Ofcom has been examining whether to relax rules on Royal Mail's service, and has proposed allowing it to only deliver second-class letters on alternate weekdays and not on Saturdays, with first-class post remaining six days a week. Křetínský's EP Group clinched the IDS deal after a long-running UK government review of the national security considerations approved the deal. The Conservative former trade policy minister Greg Hands was this month appointed as a strategic adviser to EP Group.
The Herald
14-05-2025
- The Herald
15 delivery motorbikes impounded by JMPD in Rosebank shopping district
Some riders allegedly lack valid driver's licences, vehicle licence discs, and, among foreign nationals, proper immigration documentation such as passports and permits authorising commercial operations in South Africa, the metro police said. 'The practices pose significant safety risks, impede pedestrian movement, specially for persons with disabilities, and contribute to traffic congestion.' The lack of proper documentation also raises concerns about accountability and regulatory oversight of the delivery services. 'We call on the companies and delivery platforms to ensure their riders comply with all relevant legislation and prioritise road safety. 'The operations aim not to disrupt legitimate businesses but to promote a safe, legal, and respectful environment for all residents and visitors in Johannesburg.'
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Amazon strikes new partnership with FedEx after UPS pullback
May 12 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab said on Monday it has struck a new partnership with FedEx (FDX.N), opens new tab in late February to handle some parts of its package deliveries. FedEx shares rose 1.7% after the closing bell. Business Insider first reported the news on Monday, citing an internal document. The deal with rival FedEx gives Amazon "cost favorability" compared to UPS, the report said. UPS said in January that it plans to shrink shipment volumes for Amazon, its largest customer, by more than 50% by the second half of 2026. This is a part of the delivery firm's plan to focus on fewer, but more profitable deliveries. Late last month, UPS said it would slash 20,000 jobs and shut 73 facilities as a part of its planned reduction in deliveries for Amazon. Amazon and FedEx did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
