Mr Chairman,
I have several questions pertaining to CPF contributions for platform workers.
It has been announced that transitional assistance will be provided to platform workers who earn below $2500 to help them cope with the new requirement to contribute CPF. However, those earning above $2500 will also have difficulty adjusting to a lower take home pay. Will MOM be implementing the employee contribution in phases to give them more time to adjust?
Secondly, those aged above 30 can opt out of making CPF contributions. If a platform worker opts out, does this mean the platform owner will not need to contribute CPF as well? If this is the case, then those who opt in will cost the platform owners more than those who opt out. It is desirable for more platform workers to opt in so that they have more retirement savings. However, my concern is whether those who opt in would be discriminated against because they are more costly. Will there be measures put in place to prevent discrimination against those who opt in?
Lastly, is the decision to either opt in or out of CPF a once-off decision? Can platform workers change their minds subsequently?
Thank you.
