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SINGAPORE: Despite battling a persistent cough, food delivery rider Suhada Abdullah continues to spend 10 to 14 hours a day making deliveries on her motorcycle amid the haze.<\/span><\/p>\n The single mother of five, who delivers for GrabFood, relies on her earnings to support her family and pay for essential expenses, including housing, groceries and motorcycle-related costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “We still have to work no matter what,” the 52-year-old said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like Ms Suhada, some food delivery riders face a difficult choice between protecting their health and earning a living as air quality deteriorates.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite government calls for precautions against haze-related health risks and support measures introduced by delivery platforms, taking time off can mean losing much-needed income for riders who depend on daily deliveries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n GrabFood rider Shawn Lim experienced this trade-off first-hand, when a cold forced him to take a day off during the haze.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He told CNA on Tuesday (Oct 20) that despite improved air quality and clearer skies in recent days, working conditions have changed little.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “It\u2019s cleared up, which means I\u2019m coughing less, but the air quality is still unhealthy,” said the 35-year-old, who has been wearing a snood, a tube-shaped scarf, to protect himself from the haze.<\/span><\/p>\n At a press conference last Friday, Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau said <\/span>platform workers should not be penalised <\/span>for delivery delays during the haze.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This includes penalties imposed through incentive schemes, reduced job allocations or pay deductions, she said, adding that platform operators have been reminded of their duty to protect workers from haze-related health risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some riders CNA spoke to said they have not been penalised for slower deliveries during the haze, but are worried about how the conditions could affect their earnings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For Ms Suhada, longer trips and inconveniently sequenced orders have made it harder to meet incentive targets, even though she has not been penalised for delivery delays.<\/span><\/p>\n Rather than push herself when unwell, she said she would try to meet her targets another day. “If I cannot hit (the target), then I have no choice. Tomorrow, try to do it again,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\n Another Grab delivery rider Evan Gan said the haze could slow him down while making deliveries by bicycle, affecting his earnings under the incentive-based system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Maybe you would earn a bit less,” said the 30-year-old.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n GrabFood rider Siti Muhaini is concerned she might have to work longer hours to make up for lost earnings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “I’m definitely worried about missing my targets as our earnings are dependent on them,” said the mother of seven.<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Siti said she often feels breathless while making deliveries on her bicycle, even when wearing an N95 mask. Reduced visibility at night could also slow her deliveries, she added.<\/span><\/p>\n In response to CNA\u2019s queries, delivery platforms such as Grab and Foodpanda said rider health and safety remain a priority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “We do not penalise them for choosing to log off during the haze, nor do we penalise them for the time taken to complete an order,” said a Grab spokesperson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Safety on the road always supersedes speed. We want to ensure riders never feel pressured to work or rush, especially when visibility and environmental conditions are less than ideal.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Foodpanda said its \u201cdelivery partner availability remains stable\u201d, despite an increase in orders as more customers choose to have their meals and groceries delivered to minimise time spent outdoors.<\/span><\/p>\n The platform has also introduced a special haze support incentive to provide riders with additional earnings during this period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDelivery partners can also manage their schedules flexibly by adjusting their working hours or taking breaks at any time,\u201d said a spokesperson.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFeatures such as ‘excused breaks’ enable them to take short, regular breaks between orders during a session while continuing to enjoy applicable incentives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nRIDERS WORRY ABOUT MISSING INCENTIVE TARGETS\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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