SINGAPORE: The death of 49-year-old private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver Gavin Neo has sparked a wave of concern and advocacy, both from the public and associations linked to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
Neo died on 29 May 2025, three days after suffering a sudden cerebral stroke.
His case came to light on 30 May, when news of his passing began circulating widely on social media and PHV driver chat groups.
According to messages shared online, Neo had been working up to 15 hours a day to provide for his children, consuming as many as three cans of Red Bull daily to stay awake. He was reportedly a single father of two.
Long hours and sacrifices for his children
Neo, a Grab Diamond Tier driver, was known for his commitment to his children and strong work ethic.
Fellow PHV driver Bryan Ang shared on Facebook how Neo would often drive through the night, ending his shift only after sending his daughter to school in the morning.
Despite the long hours, Neo lived modestly. Ang recalled how they would often share late-night suppers of S$3.80 chicken rice at a coffee shop along Killiney Road — which they dubbed the “cheapest food in town.”
When asked why he was so frugal, Neo simply responded, “It’s for my kids and their future.”
Public outcry and calls for regulation
Neo’s sudden death led to an outpouring of grief and frustration on social media.
Many Singaporeans questioned why such tragedies must occur before action is taken.
Users commenting on the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), Lianhe Zaobao, and Mothership Facebook pages expressed concern about the lack of proactive measures to regulate drivers’ hours and ensure fair earnings.
One comment wrote that authorities must enforce a maximum driving limit of 12 hours per day to protect both drivers and public safety.
Others pointed out that the low fares offered by ride-hailing platforms, combined with high commission rates and increasing overheads, force drivers to work extended hours to break even.
“Grab is taking nearly 28% of combination of commission and platform fees, hence left drivers with puny balance yet have to cope with high rental, high fuel and even CPF contribution now,” one user observed. “The overhead cost is too high until driven driver to work long hour until stroke and die.”
Associations press platform operators for reform
In response to the incident, three NTUC-affiliated associations — NPHVA, National Taxi Association (NTA), and National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) — issued a joint statement on 3 June.
They called on platform operators to address key issues affecting platform workers’ livelihoods, including work hours, welfare, earnings, and transparency in fare structures.
The associations proposed that platforms implement clear and fair pricing structures, avoiding schemes that incentivise unsafe working hours.
They argued that workers should receive a “reasonable rest duration” to minimise fatigue and associated health risks.
Transparency and fairer earnings structures
The statement emphasised the importance of price transparency so that drivers can better understand their earnings and make informed decisions.
“Pricing should not fall below a fair minimum,” the associations stated, “and avoid schemes that incentivises platform workers to work long hours to get rewards.”
Some comments echoed the associations’ call, urging the unions to push for a progressive fare system.
One user noted, “It is actually astonishing that everything has increased due to high costs of living and yet, e-hailing fares are not increasing and are mostly lower than taxi fares except for certain periods of time.”
Insurance and support mechanisms
Currently, platform workers are covered under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) for work-related incidents.
NTUC members are also covered under the NTUC GIFT insurance scheme, which provides up to S$40,000 in the event of death or permanent disability.
However, the associations are asking platform operators to extend and enhance insurance protections beyond the existing frameworks.
In addition, NDCA, NPHVA, and NTA have reached out to Neo’s family to provide support and financial assistance.
Fellow drivers also launched a crowdfunding campaign to aid his children.
NTUC and political leaders respond
NTUC assistant secretary-general and Member of Parliament Yeo Wan Ling addressed the issue in a Facebook post, outlining the actions taken by affiliated unions to safeguard platform workers.
The associations reiterated that they are formally registered Platform Work Associations (PWAs), allowing them to negotiate with platform companies on behalf of drivers and delivery riders.
In 2024, there were 67,600 regular platform workers in Singapore.
Many have expressed that their work conditions place them at high physical and mental risk.
Mounting frustration from the PHV community
Beyond union responses, individual PHV drivers have taken to social media to voice deeper frustrations.
Some shared that the opaque fare structures make it difficult to assess earnings.
One driver compared the ride-hailing model to a buyer-seller transaction, where drivers act as sellers and platforms like Grab as middlemen.
However, drivers are unaware of how much passengers are charged, raising concerns about transparency and fairness.
This lack of clarity affects tax declarations, especially since rising operational costs often exceed the 60% deemed expense threshold.
Mounting expenses — from fuel to fines — are forcing drivers to work longer hours just to cope.
The user called on the NPHVA to take a stronger stance in addressing these systemic issues and protecting drivers’ rights.
Another called on the union to recognise driving as a high-risk occupation, given the hazards encountered daily.
“We face jaywalkers, errant e-bikes, speeding vehicles — our lives are on the line every day,” the user wrote.
Growing pressure for urgent reforms
Among those commenting online, some urged labour chief Ng Chee Meng to publicly address the structural issues behind Neo’s death and the rising number of drivers juggling multiple jobs to survive.
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