The new scheme would cover 21 days of medical leave as well as 84 days of hospitalization leave.
Gojek, the ride-hailing platform in partnership with Gigacover, insurance technology company that focuses on freelancers, recently announced the launching of earnings protection insurance scheme meant for Gojek drivers.
Gojek said that the scheme, which is slated to take effect from April 1, 2019 will reveal more of its details in due course.
Initial reports say that the scheme has been designed on the basis of suggestions from Singapore's National Private Hire Vehicles Association and it provides for Gojek drivers to enjoy earnings protection coverage of $80 per day. Gojek drivers will receive exclusive preferential rates through the partnership.
Depending on their age drivers have to pay a subsidized monthly rate to Gigacover to qualify for the earnings protection. The most active drivers, that is, drivers with the greatest number of trips per quarter, will be offered a free coverage by Gojek on a quarterly basis.
According to the records provided by Gigacover, private-hire drivers have experienced hospitalization for as long as 70 days due to road accidents. The new scheme would cover 21 days of medical leave as well as 84 days of hospitalization leave.
Lien Choong Luen, GM, Gojek Singapore, has been reported to say that the Gigacover-partnership is expected to provide peace of mind for drivers. According to Mr. Lien, the partnership marks the first of many initiatives that the company would be soon launching to boost driver well-being. He added that the initiative is also a part of Gojek’s efforts to partner with local companies so that they can all grow together.
Chua Cheng Xun, Co-founder, Gigacover, reportedly said that a huge part of Singapore's gig economy is formed of Gojek's driver-partners. Apparently, the partnership with Gojek therefore becomes yet another step for Gigacover to support Singapore’s freelance ecosystem.
A spokesman at the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, said that the initiative by transport operators to insure their drivers is a welcome move for the government and it hopes to see more operators stepping forward to offer insurance to the contracted self-employed persons.