MOM and ILO launch first global dialogue on digital platform work in Singapore
Summary
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) opened the first Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work in Singapore on 29 September 2025. Over two days more than 150 participants — including policymakers, statisticians, platform operators, social partners and researchers from 20+ countries — convened to tackle data gaps in the digital platform economy (DPE) and push for harmonised measurement standards ahead of the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) in 2028.
Singapore, which has run dedicated surveys on platform work since 2016, shared national findings that helped shape its Platform Workers Act introduced in 2025. The dialogue is a follow-up to work begun at the 21st ICLS in 2023 and is designed to inform global standards and evidence-based policy on platform employment.
Key Points
- The Global Dialogue (29 Sept 2025) brought 150+ stakeholders from 20+ countries to Singapore to close data gaps on digital platform work.
- The event is hosted by MOM’s Manpower Research and Statistics Department (MRSD) and the ILO, and is oriented towards international statistical harmonisation ahead of ICLS 2028.
- Singapore has run annual platform work surveys since 2016; platform workers rose from 56,000 (2016) to 67,600 (2024).
- Workers who consider platform work their main job grew from 31,000 to 54,000 between 2016 and 2024; top reasons cited: flexibility (59%), freedom to choose work (31%) and more time with family (13%).
- Reported challenges among platform workers fell sharply from 71% in 2017 to 18% in 2024, with improvements in concerns about access to work, healthcare and retirement.
- The dialogue emphasises three objectives: better data and analysis to inform protection and legislation; development of harmonised statistics for international comparison; and driving global collaboration on the future of DPE.
- Quotes: Ng Chee Khern (Permanent Secretary, MOM) urged measurement standards to keep pace with evolving platform roles; ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo called for international statistical standards to uphold rights and extend social protection.
Context and Relevance
Digital platform work spans delivery and ride-hailing through to higher-skilled freelancing. Its varied nature has made it hard to capture in official labour statistics, which in turn hampers policy design on workplace injury compensation, housing, retirement adequacy and career mobility. Singapore’s long-running survey work and tripartite approach (government, unions, employers) are being used as a model to inform international standards.
The Global Dialogue is an important stepping stone to the 2028 ICLS where new global standards on digital platform employment are expected to be presented — standards that will shape how countries measure, regulate and protect platform workers worldwide.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: because this is where the rulebook for platform work measurement is being written. If you care about labour policy, workforce planning, HR strategy or platform regulation, this event matters — it points to the stats and standards that’ll dictate future laws and protections. We read the detail so you don’t have to — but don’t sleep on this one if platform work affects your sector.
