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Equipping Gig Workers with Digital Skills Upgrading but More Support Needed
In response to ST Forum Article: “Different Gigs, Different Digital Skills” on 18 August, the National Trades Union Congress’ Freelancers & Self-Employed Unit (NTUC U FSE) has been working over the past few years to digitally upskill our gig workforce and would like to share our experience.
The writers proposed a three-tiered approach (baseline, intermediate, sector-specific skills) for Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) to work more effectively or transit to less precarious work. U FSE and our affiliated associations that represent various groups of SEPs agree with this approach. Amid the new norm, business landscapes and demands have shifted and SEPs are pressured to embrace a new digital operating environment.
U FSE and our associations have initiated discussions with stakeholders, including relevant Government ministries and agencies, since 2019 on strengthening frameworks and safeguards to support SEPs' livelihoods in a digital economy. Discussions entail creating a recovery roadmap for U FSE and the associations to consolidate necessary resources and training to help members thrive in the endemic transition.
The National Taxi Association, together with taxi operators, NTUC LearningHub and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), mobilised over 10,000 cabbies to attend the SkillsFuture for the Digital Workplace course to familiarise themselves with mobile apps and basic digital communication tools with the increased popularity of ride-hailing.
To support our members when COVID-19 hit, training was quickly introduced to coach them in digital-related processes such as filling digital forms and conducting classes virtually. NTUC’s e2i also administered the Self-Employed Training Support Scheme to offset the opportunity cost of training. Additionally, the National Instructors and Coaches Association helped alleviate members’ financial strains by arranging bulk purchases of digital hardware and software.
For sector-specific skills, the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association and collaborators are researching the application of digital skills in creative freelancers’ work.
We propose three steps to initiate the three-tiered approach proposed by the writers. First, review the Government’s training support quantum to mitigate the financial impact on SEPs during training. Secondly, extend the Government’s support, including grants, to micro-businesses. Finally, asking sector agencies and buyers to adopt value-based procurement from SEPs so that investments in new competencies are sustainable for SEPs while creating value for buyers.
These steps, together with the ongoing initiatives by U FSE and our associations, including the push for fair contracting and effective dispute resolution, will allow SEPs to achieve sustainable careers.
