Lawmaker urges authorities to strengthen protections for delivery platform workers

Lawmaker Leong Hong Sai has submitted a written inquiry calling on the government to implement clearer regulations and protections for workers on food delivery and parcel delivery platforms.

In his interpellation, Leong noted that while the rise of the digital economy has made these platforms an integral part of daily life, the new form of employment also presents challenges for labor rights, social protection, and legal frameworks.

The lawmaker noted that many platforms classify their workers as “self-employed” or “partners,” leaving them without statutory labor protections.

“Some platforms use algorithms to assign orders and enforce reward or penalty mechanisms,” he wrote, “which prevents platform workers from enjoying the autonomy typical of traditional self-employed individuals.”

He added that this ambiguity in employment status affects workers’ occupational safety and income stability.

The lawmaker urged the government to review current labor regulations and adjust them to reflect changes in the employment market.

Leong asked whether authorities plan to clarify the legal status, responsibilities, and rights of both companies and platform workers.

He also proposed establishing a statutory tripartite consultation mechanism involving the government, platform operators, and workers to develop standard contracts and ensure reasonable working conditions.

Meanwhile, Leong also raised concerns about occupational safety.

“Will the authorities set up a central occupational insurance compensation fund to provide compensation for work-related injuries or accidents at a level no lower than that specified under Decree No. 40/95/M and Law No. 6/2015? Additionally, will the authorities require platforms to implement fair algorithms for order allocation to ensure platform workers receive reasonable income? he asked.

The lawmaker then suggested the creation of a central occupational insurance compensation fund to provide platform workers with coverage for work-related injuries or accidents, at levels not lower than those established under existing laws.

He also asked whether platforms could be required to implement fair algorithms to allocate orders, ensuring stable and equitable earnings for workers.