Life is unpredictable, so it’s important to be prepared. Go-Jek has launched a new program that looks after their drivers in case disaster strikes. The Indonesian ride-hailing company has announced a partnership with Singapore-based insurance technology company Gigacover to cover its drivers in the city-state.
Go-Jek has designed an insurance scheme in consultation with Singapore’s National Private Hire Vehicles Association. Under the scheme, all Go-Jek drivers in the country will receive standard earnings protection coverage of S$80 (US$59) per day by paying a single, subsidised monthly rate to Gigacover that is determined based on their age. The scheme will also cover up to 21 days of medical leave and up to 84 days of hospitalisation. Go-Jek claims that the scheme, which will take effect on April 1st, is currently the most extensive earnings protection program for private-hire drivers in Singapore.
The partnership was formed based on the findings of Singapore’s Tripartite Workgroup, which includes members from the Ministry of Manpower, the National Trades Union Congress, and the Singapore National Employers Federation. Last year, the workgroup released several recommendations for self-employed persons, including that a prolonged medical leave insurance product be developed to mitigate a self-employed person’s loss of income during injury or illness.
According to data compiled by Gigacover, road accidents involving private-hire drivers have led to hospitalisation periods of up to 70 days.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower is optimistic about the collaboration between Go-Jek and Gigacover. “We welcome the growing support among transport operators to protect their self-employed drivers. We hope to see even more operators also stepping forward to offer such insurance to self-employed persons they contract with,” said the ministry’s spokesperson in an official statement.
Go-Jek has said that their drivers are the company’s “life-blood”. “This partnership is the first of many initiatives we are launching to boost the well-being of our driver-partners. It also comes as part of our efforts to partner with local companies so that we can all grow together, “ said Lien Choong Luen, general manager of Go-Jek Singapore.
Editor: Brady Ng