Grab Commits S$4 Million Yearly to Upgraded GrabBenefits 2.0 Partner Welfare Programme in Singapore
GrabBenefits 2.0 is a comprehensive benefits programme that addresses top concerns of platform workers.
- GrabBenefits 2.0 provides more comprehensive benefits for platform workers, complementing the Platform Workers 2024 Act
- Expanded benefits include subsidised medical services, access to telemedicine services, and complimentary preventive health and wellness services
- Grab extends partnership with NTUC with 6-month sponsorship of membership for partners to join Platform Work Associations
3 October 2024, Singapore – Grab today announced GrabBenefits 2.0, a significant upgrade to its holistic welfare programme for driver- and delivery- partners that was first launched in 2018. As part of this initiative, Grab is committing an annual investment of $4 million to support the welfare of platform workers.
GrabBenefits 2.0 is a comprehensive benefits programme that addresses the top concerns of platform workers. The upgrade introduces support for common health-related expenses, building on existing benefits that provide income assistance for prolonged medical leave, reduce daily operating costs, and offer upskilling and education opportunities. GrabBenefits 2.0 complements the protections established under the recently enacted Platform Workers’ Act, which focuses on long-term retirement savings and work injury insurance. Additionally, Grab will sponsor 6 months of membership for partners to join NTUC’s Platform Work Associations.
The upgraded benefits were informed by feedback gathered from focus groups with Grab’s driver- and delivery-partners. Key concerns highlighted were rising medicine costs, reducing downtime due to illness, and addressing physical ailments like backaches that are not covered by doctor visits. Hence GrabBenefits 2.0 will feature new offerings such as subsidies for doctor visits, access to telemedicine services, and free preventive health and wellness initiatives such as flu vaccinations and massages.
The announcement of the upgraded GrabBenefits 2.0 was made at the GrabBenefits 2.0 health and wellness day event at the Grab Driver Centre (Grab@Tampines), where more than 300 driver- and delivery-partners enjoyed free health, eye, and spinal screenings, as well as discounts on products and services from Grab’s corporate partners.
NTUC Secretary-General, Ng Chee Meng, who graced the event as the guest-of-honour said, “Today’s launch of the upgraded GrabBenefits 2.0 programme is an important step for platform workers’ welfare. NTUC and our associations – the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), are proactively paving the way with partners like Grab for better support systems. It is encouraging to see Grab taking our associations’ and workers’ feedback seriously and this shows that when platform operators and workers’ associations come together, we can make meaningful progress. NTUC looks forward to expanding on these efforts by continuing our partnership with Grab to advocate for workers’ interests in earnings, welfare, and work prospects.”
“We launched the first version of our GrabBenefits programme back in 2018. With the latest industry development, it is timely for us to revamp our programme to ensure the benefits we offer partners are meaningful and relevant. Majority of our partners told us they would like greater support in managing healthcare expenses, and this is why GrabBenefits 2.0 will offer more subsidies in this area,” said Yee Wee Tang, Managing Director, Grab Singapore. “Our enhanced benefits, together with the new regulatory protections, will offer a holistic end-to-end care package for partners that covers both their immediate and long-term needs.”
An end-to-end care package for platform workers
Under GrabBenefits 2.0, driver- and delivery-partners will gain access to the following new benefits from 1 January 2025, in addition to existing perks1 spanning insurance, fuel discounts, and career development opportunities through free GrabAcademy courses:
- Subsidies for doctor visits and new access to telemedicine services: Eligible partners will only need to co-pay $5 for a medical bill of $50 when they visit a general practitioner (GP) or engage telemedicine services.2 Grab will subsidise the remaining $45, available for two visits a year. This helps ease the burden of unexpected healthcare expenses, and the flexibility to choose between GP or telemedicine will also make it more convenient for partners to see a doctor when needed. Partners will have access to over 700 GP clinics and telemedicine providers.
- Complimentary preventive healthcare services: Grab will sponsor flu vaccination for selected partners once a year to provide them additional protection against the virus.3 This is a popular request by partners who want to reduce their exposure to the virus.
- Complimentary wellness services: Being on the road for extended hours puts pressure on one’s back, neck and feet. In addition to discounted spine check ups, Grab will offer free massages to partners at least once every quarter. This will be offered via an all-new GrabBenefits Partner Welfare Van, which will rove to neighbourhoods where driver- and delivery-partners tend to gather, reducing travel and increasing convenience for Grab partners.
- Complimentary Platform Work Associations membership: To encourage Grab partners to join the NTUC Platform Work Associations, Grab will sponsor 6 months of associations membership for new member sign-ups. The associations can represent and assist Grab partners on work issues, and to provide tangible support to them and their families through care schemes, savings at NTUC social enterprises, and training grants.
Grab driver-partner, Mohamed Faidzal Bin Mohamed Nasir, had recently claimed Personal Accident Insurance under GrabBenefits. He shared, “The claim process was smooth thanks to the help of the Grab team. I was able to receive the payout quickly, which was appreciated as I wasn’t able to work for a short period of time.”
Faidzal also welcomes the enhanced GrabBenefits programme. He said, “I’m glad that GrabBenefits 2.0 has taken our feedback for more health benefits into consideration. While I still feel very fit at 43 years old, these benefits will be helpful when we grow older and possibly develop health issues over time. It is good to know that Grab is investing so much in our overall welfare, and I will definitely make full use of the benefits offered.”
1Full list of benefits in the infographic
2For partners in Sapphire Tier and above. $5 co-payment excludes GST
3For partners in Sapphire Tier and above