Singapore – The three leading food delivery companies here – Grab, Deliveroo and foodpanda – have joined forces to form a trade association representing digital platforms.
Breaking out of the typically fierce competition between e-commerce and online service platforms, the three companies will work together to strengthen industry practices as the Digital Platforms Industry Association (DPIA) launches on Thursday (August 18) and raise the bar. , they said.
It’s unclear how the move will affect competition and, in turn, consumers.
DPIA will identify areas that need improvement and work with governments and other stakeholders to create a solution that is “voice of delivery partners and merchants.”
They also plan to introduce an industry code of conduct that incorporates best practices and principles for the health and safety of food delivery workers, the companies added.
This rollout will come as the Advisory Board on Platform Workers enters a later stage of deliberation.
The commission, set up by the Department of Labor last September, is tasked with exploring ways to better protect workers who depend on digital platforms for their income. I had a lively discussion with the company.
Recommendations on how to improve retirement and housing adequacy, workers’ compensation and bargaining power for taxi drivers, private car drivers and freelance delivery workers are expected later this year.
In response to a question from The Straits Times, the association said members will continue to engage individually with the advisory board, government and the National Delivery Champions Association as each company has its own business model and interests. .
Also, there are currently no plans for broader data sharing among members.
A DPIA spokesperson said instead that it is intended for greater collaboration across the industry. “DPIA members are committed to working together to find common ground in the spirit of improving the platform ecosystem,” she added, but did not provide further details.
As to whether the establishment of the DPIA could affect competition or create conflicts of interest among its members, the association said it would comply with Singapore’s social registry rules and Singapore’s competition law.
In a joint statement on Thursday (18 August), Grab, foodpanda and Deliveroo said DPIA will bring together the expertise of the three companies to help shape the development and growth of the digital platform industry in the Singapore economy. .
The three teamed up in March to conduct a joint survey of 4,200 food delivery riders in Singapore. This is the first survey of its kind.
