Statutory injury pay proposed for platform workers

The government hopes to introduce a legislative framework by the end of this year to provide statutory work injury compensation for platform workers, such as food delivery drivers.

In a paper submitted to the Legislative Council, officials said they will define "platform workers" and "platform operators" under the new legislation.

Officials said the initial focus will be on food and goods delivery, since most platform workers operate in these fields.

To be entitled to statutory protection, platform workers must enter into an agreement with a legalised platform operator, receive remuneration based on that agreement, and register a worker account with the operator.

Compensation will cover injuries or deaths resulting from accidents during the "work period," which officials have defined as the time from when a worker departs for a designated location to perform a pick-up task until the goods are delivered, or until a specified time in the event of an order cancellation.

The government also proposed extended compensation coverage during adverse weather conditions.

Compensation would be available to workers if they suffered an accident on their way home – within four hours of completing their last delivery task – when a typhoon signal number 8 or above is in force, or a "Red" or "Black" rainstorm warning is in effect.

Platform operators must also notify the commissioner for labour within two weeks if a work injury results in a worker losing their capability to carry out their job.

The notice period is shortened to seven days in the event of a death.

The Labour Department will publish a list of platform operators that fall under the scope of the new legislation.

A Legco panel on manpower meeting is slated to discuss the proposal next Friday.

Edited by Thomas McAlinden ...