FastGig app launched to match flexiworkers with gigs

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.

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.”

Intuit Singapore to launch hit expense management app

Intuit, the global small business management and accounting software solutions provider, plans to launch QuickBooks Self-Employed in Singapore. The software allows users to stay on top of business expenses. QuickBooks Self-Employed launched in the US in 2015, and has 180,000 customers globally including in Australia, up from 50,000 a year ago.

Scheduled to be available later this month, QuickBooks Self-Employed is a mobile app targeted to help the growing freelance workforce. The app features expense tracking, invoicing, and helps users get better insight into their financials including net income and tax obligations throughout the year.

According to the Manpower Ministry’s 2015 Labour Force Report, 14% of Singapore’s workforce are self-employed. A growing part of this is the on-demand economy, which in Singapore includes global platforms such as Uber and Airbnb as well as strong local market players PandaBed, GrabTaxi and Redmart.

“The Singaporean self-employed community will benefit from a service that allows them to effectively stay on top of business expenses and make better financial decisions,” said Ashley Millbern, Head of global expansion at Intuit. “We know that these workers face unique challenges compared to traditional, full-time employees. QuickBooks Self-Employed will help them get organised and simplify their financial tasks, untangle business and personal expenses, and help them get ready for tax time; a task that used take hours can now be done in just minutes, and right in the palm of their hand.”

QuickBooks Self-Employed features include:

• Tracking expenses on the go with easy category selection based on swiping left or right on the phone
• Link receipts to expenses through the app
• Create and send invoices with notifications when the invoice has been viewed.
• Snap and store receipts, manage expenses, and invoices in one place

For more than three decades, Intuit has worked closely with customers around the world throughout the product development process. Customer input is critical to determine what big, unmet needs they are facing, what solutions Intuit should create, and how the products will look and feel. Intuit is also inviting Singaporean self-employed workers to be part of the product development process by joining a product testing programme to provide input and feedback on the mobile app.

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