AWARE welcomes the public consultation to address the challenges of self-employed persons (SEPs). The global shift away from employment towards an informal economy is also playing out in Singapore. SEPs lack access to traditional employment benefits (e.g. employer CPF contributions, sick leave, healthcare). The rising proportion of these workers in the overall population challenges the assumptions underlying social support systems premised on consistent individual earnings from formal employment (e.g. CPF).

We urge particular attention to the circumstances of women, especially in low-income households, who are likely under-represented in official data and thinking around SEPs. According to the 2016 Labour Force Survey, almost 30% of SEPs are women, most of whom are degree holders and work as associate professionals and technicians. Women in general tend to take up flexible working arrangements in order to generate earnings while managing caregiving responsibilities.

However, there is reason to believe that the official data does not fully capture the number and experiences of women SEPs. Preliminary findings from our ongoing research into the work and caregiving experiences of low-income women indicate that many women are engaged in informal, ad-hoc and home-based work (e.g. sewing, making craft items) for an income. They tend to be omitted from official data because their work does not require a license, they are unregistered for tax purposes due to their low income, or some do not recognise what they are doing as “work”.

Below, we summarise the challenges women SEPs face and the recommendations to address them; further explanations can be found in the full document:

• Inconsistent income – SEPs cannot always rely on a steady quantum of work and income. Women experience a gendered barrier when how much work they can do is significantly determined – and limited – by caregiving responsibilities – a problem especially acute for those doing informal work. Income support schemes may not be accessible to low-income SEPs.

Recommendation 1: Caregiver allowance

Recommendation 2: Review Workfare Income Supplement for SEPs

• No CPF savings – SEPs with inconsistent incomes – especially where incomes are low – usually need the cash to support the day-to-day needs of their family, and find it difficult to confidently lock wealth away into an inaccessible format such as CPF. Yet, at the moment, CPF savings are critical for meeting basic needs in Singapore – housing, healthcare and financial resources for retirement.

Recommendation 3: CPF top-ups by the government

• Limited access to parental and childcare leave – Currently, SEPs who can show a loss in income during parental leave period are eligible for government-paid parental leave. However, it is unclear if those who work in the informal sector qualify. For those with irregular or low incomes, quantifying and documenting the income loss may also be challenging. Similarly, the process to apply for childcare leave may be too onerous.

Recommendation 4: Parental allowance for all non-employee parents after childbirth

Recommendation 5: Study the accessibility of parental and childcare leave for SEPs

• Protection from workplace harassment – Without formal ties to an institution, SEPs have less protection than traditional employees, for example when they are harassed by clients or customers. This may affect their safety and well-being in earning their livelihood.

Recommendation 6: Institutionalise awareness on and prevention of workplace harassment

Read the full document here.