FastCo, the company behind FastJobs, the Asian non-executive job portal for both jobseekers and employers, has introduced the FastGig app in response to the growth of the gig economy. According to FastCo, it is one of the first job apps for gig workers in the Southeast Asian region.
FastGig is Singapore’s first workforce as-a-service (WaaS) platform and helps to match qualified flexible workers with businesses looking for solutions to headcount constraints and labour shortage, especially during seasonal peaks.
Julian Tan, Founder & CEO, FastCo, said: “The official launch of our FastGig app opens a brand-new chapter at FastCo and we are excited to embark on this journey to help address a critical gap in the current economy. Leveraging on the solid foundation of FastJobs, we have created a robust platform that will allow for greater job flexibility for both workers and businesses. We believe FastGig will thoroughly transform Singapore’s gig economy.”
Gig worker numbers in Singapore rose over 10% from 228,200 in 2020 to 248,500 in 2021, and FastCo foresees continued growth as more opportunities become available. According to the Manpower Ministry's 2020 Labour Force in Singapore report, flexibility and freedom are the top reasons driving workers towards such work arrangements. However, the lack of sufficient work and uncertainty around finding available gigs are among the top three challenges these gig workers face.
FastGig closes this gap by enabling workers to access a wide database of freelance work opportunities from verified businesses across job types, timings, and locations, FastCo said. Once registered, users can select job listings via available locations and timeslots on a day-to-day basis. Gig workers are free to plan their own schedules, choosing to work according to their availability and convenience. The entire experience from sign-up to payment on the platform is kept simple and fuss-free, even for those who are less tech-savvy.
The simplicity of the FastGig platform extends to its streamlined payment process, which consolidates payments from multiple businesses. The hassle of filling up timesheets is also removed as users clock in at their work locations by scanning a QR code using their FastGig app. Users will be paid directly on a weekly basis.
“We truly believe that harnessing the right technology will power the transformation of our workforce. The convenience of FastGig will create equal access to job opportunities, thus redefining meaningful work for everyone,” said Tan from FastCo.
According to FastCo, the automation of timesheets and payment processing cuts down on administrative manpower requirements. Instead of processing individual payments, businesses pay FastGig a lump sum on a regular basis from which wages can be deducted. If a user does not show up for work, FastGig can push out shifts urgently, helping businesses to maximise the chances of securing workers last-minute.
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| Source: FastCo. FastGig helps Singapore gig workers find jobs quickly. |
To date, FastGig has worked with dozens of brands to bridge their staffing gap, fulfilling over 160,000 manhours, including NTUC FairPrice, Domino's Pizza Singapore, and Phoon Huat. Michelle Tan, Human Resource Manager, Phoon Huat, said "Our Warehouse and Production departments were struggling to fill vacated positions when many of our China workers left to go back home due to the pandemic in 2021. With Christmas and Chinese New Year fast approaching, we were desperately in need of staff at the end of 2021, and luckily, we found out about FastGig’s services.
"Since engaging their service, FastGig has been very efficient and never once failed to supply us with the daily required workers to address our manpower challenges. We are so thankful for their dedication and professionalism and will not hesitate to recommend their services to any company."
Julia Chong, Human Capital Management, Domino's Pizza Singapore, said “Tapping on FastGig’s pool of reliable gig workers has helped us develop a blended workforce that can better accommodate seasonal peaks. For businesses like ours where operations need to scale up significantly on demand, this service provided by FastGig is a true lifesaver.”
