Singapore Delivery Rider’s Death Highlights Risks Faced by ‘Gig’ Workers

SINGAPORE – The death of Samuel Seet Wei Jie, a 28-year-old food delivery rider, after a collision with a car in September 2022, has laid bare the precarious realities faced by a growing number of workers in Singapore’s “gig” economy. While a coroner’s inquiry ruled his death a road traffic accident, the case has ignited debate about safety standards, working conditions, and the responsibilities of platforms and drivers in an increasingly on-demand world.

A Life Interrupted: From Banking to Deliveries

Seet’s story is one of ambition and the pressures of modern life. Newly married and expecting a child, he worked at a local bank but supplemented his income with food delivery to prepare for a career shift to financial advising, slated to begin in December 2022. He initially used a bicycle, upgrading to a power-assisted bicycle – a common sight on Singapore’s streets – for greater efficiency. His father, speaking during the inquiry, confirmed there were no modifications made to the e-bike.

The late-night delivery shift on September 27th, 2022, proved fatal. Seet completed four deliveries in Choa Chu Kang before heading towards Teck Whye Avenue when the collision occurred. The incident underscores a growing trend: according to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the number of residents employed as own-account workers – a category encompassing many gig workers – has been steadily increasing, reaching 252,000 in 2023.

Conflicting Accounts and Legal Fallout

The driver of the car involved, Teo Kok Meng, 39, initially claimed his passenger was behind the wheel, leading to charges of obstructing justice and providing false information to the police. Teo admitted to consuming approximately five glasses of beer before the accident. While his initial breathalyzer test at traffic police headquarters showed a reading below the legal limit (16 micrograms per 100ml of breath), his girlfriend and a male colleague both tested over the limit. The discrepancy in alcohol absorption rates, influenced by factors like body weight, gender, and food intake, was raised by Seet’s father during the inquiry.

The investigation was hampered by a lack of concrete evidence. No CCTV footage captured the accident, and the car’s in-vehicle camera memory card was corrupted. The absence of independent witnesses left only Teo’s account – that Seet “suddenly came out from the slip road at a very fast speed” – and the limited physical evidence from the scene. The coroner, Adam Nakhoda, emphasized that determining criminal or civil liability rested with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the traffic police, stating it would be “incorrect” for the court to offer input.

The Weight of Uncertainty and a Father’s Grief

Seet’s father voiced strong concerns about the investigation’s findings, arguing the collision was a rear-end impact and that the car was exceeding the 50km/h speed limit. He requested a speed analysis based on the positions of the vehicles and the delivery bag, but investigators cited the lack of reliable evidence. The traffic police reiterated that accurate speed determination requires original footage, and reconstructing the scene without it would be speculative.

The father also questioned Teo’s actions after the accident, noting he contacted a colleague instead of calling for an ambulance and perceived a lack of remorse from all three individuals involved. The initial uncooperative behavior of Teo, his girlfriend, and his colleague further complicated the investigation, requiring the deployment of three police vehicles to transport them for questioning and medical checks.

A Call for Caution and Systemic Change

Coroner Nakhoda, while acknowledging the tragic loss of a young father striving to provide for his family, issued a strong recommendation: anyone consuming three to five glasses of beer within a two-hour period should avoid driving altogether. He also confirmed Teo was the driver, based on his admission and a witness statement placing a male figure behind the wheel.

The case has reignited calls for greater protections for delivery riders and other gig workers. A 2023 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 2.3 billion people worldwide are engaged in some form of informal employment, often lacking the benefits and protections afforded to traditional employees. In Singapore, the government has been exploring ways to enhance support for gig workers, including portable benefits and improved accident insurance schemes. However, advocates argue that more comprehensive measures are needed to address issues of income security, workplace safety, and fair treatment.

The death of Samuel Seet Wei Jie serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the on-demand economy. It’s a tragedy that demands not only justice for his family but also a critical examination of the systems that put vulnerable workers at risk.