• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Online petition calls for protection of migrant workers from COVID-19

by S.Ling
08/04/2020
in Community, Current Affairs, Labour
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0

An online petition titled, ‘Protect our migrant workers from Covid-19’ — created by Kokila Annamalai, a community researcher of Massey University — calls for the government to develop a comprehensive list of measures to address the issue regarding wellbeing of migrant workers in Singapore following the new COVID-19 cluster at foreign workers’ dormitories.
The petition which is meant to deliver to Minister of Manpower (MOM) Josephine Teo, has raised the concern of the migrant workers who may expose to the high risk of COVID-19 transmission as well as their cramped and unsanitary living conditions that has been reported recently.
It was due to the recent media coverage of bad conditions of the workers’ living places after government first gazetted two foreign workers’ dormitories — the S11 Dormitory @ Punggol and Westlite Toh Guan on Sunday and subsequently Toh Guan Dormitory on Monday due to being listed as COVID-19 clusters.
At the time of writing, the petition garnered over 4,500 signatures with the number of petition signatures continuing to climb.
Noting the overcrowded situation in the current workers’ dormitory set-ups and how workers being transported in cramped lorries, Ms Annamalai said that it is impossible to carry out safe distancing measures which have been reaffirmed by government as “the most important measure” against COVID-19 transmission.
When the environment of worker’s dormitory is reported unsanitary and very poorly-ventilated, she remarked that it is “unacceptable in regular times and calamity during a public health emergency” while urging MOM to fulfill its promise promptly on enhancing cleaning efforts at all dormitories.
During the isolation period, workers are not allowed to leave their dormitories even to get food. However, Ms Annamalai noted that there are workers did not receive their meals on time
While the workers are not allowed to leave their dormitories during the isolation period, Ms Annamalai noted that there are workers did not receive their meals on time and some employers or others have been prevented to deliver food and other items to the isolated workers.
On top of this, these communities also faced insufficient supplies of masks, sanitisers and other essential items meanwhile they are not guaranteed subsidised treatment at Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) or polyclinics in Singapore if they are unwell, says Ms Annamalai.
Concerning that these work pass holders may struggle for livelihood, she said, “The work and visa status of workers who haven’t been allowed to return to Singapore are unclear. Will they be paid their wages? Will they still have jobs? When can they return? Conversely, there are concerns about workers who have been laid off but are unable to leave Singapore — how will they be taken care of?”
As a result of isolation, the foreign workers may also face stress and tensions or “feel akin to sitting ducks trapped in a ticking time bomb” due to the lack access of accurate information as well as “hostility” and “stigma” treatment from security personnel or dormitory staff.
Aside from the gazetted dormitories, Ms Annamalai also pointed out that there are no any measures to care and protect migrant workers who live outside of purpose-built dormitories such as those who rent shared spaces in Geylang and Little India.

A broader and more holistic response for foreign workers’ issues

In response to government’s precautions which seems focused only on two dormitories, Ms Annamalai asked for a broader and more holistic response to the related issue.
Due to the high probability of asymptomatic spreads, she suggested a “repeated and large-scale testing” to be carried out for all isolated workers and other dorms to ensure effective containment of COVID-19 based on the advice from public health experts.
So as to ensure safe distancing measure being exercise in the dormitories, she suggested government to slash down the ratios of workers to rooms and toilets drastically while improving their living spaces to be well-ventilated through the creative and feasible suggestions which have been put forward.
Instead of lorries, the workers should be transported by bus to work for safe distancing.
For workers who have developed flu-like symptoms, they are expected to receive free healthcare at PHPCs and polyclinics as well as free mental health counselling in their first language if they want it.
In addition, government need to ensure a timely, reliable and empathetic communication with all workers on their quarantine and healthcare arrangements, work or pay issues and visa status in their native languages as well as the ability of workers to stay connected with their families with wifi access within their rooms.
Ms Annamalai suggested government to set up an accessible channel of COVID-19-related issues for the workers to call in and have handled their problems in their first languages.
She added, “There should be clear assurances that complainants will be protected. These should be channels that the public can view and hold MOM to account on.”
Touching on the $100 daily quarantine allowance given to the workers, Ms Annamalai proposed to extend the allowance to all non-essential workers if they are unable to work during the circuit-breaker period.
“Workers’ jobs and wages will be protected regardless of disruptions to their ability to work caused by Covid-19 whether due to illness, quarantine, work closures, re-entry restrictions, or other reasons,” she said.
As part of safety measures, “On-site medical care should be available at all dormitories, not just the ones under lockdown,” said Ms Annamalai, noting, “This should include access to effective face masks, sanitisers, personal protective equipment at work.”

Taking on the costs of relocating workers to reduce density and of mass-testing is our moral duty

In order to ensure transparency and accountability of these measures, Ms Annamalai said the effectiveness of measures should be accessed through the observation, evaluation and report on the progress in affected areas by journalists and independent experts while monitoring by the public.
She said, “Taking on the costs of relocating workers to reduce density, and of mass-testing, is our moral duty, and they will also help prevent the costs of providing hospital and ICU care for thousands of Covid-19 infected workers.”
With the resources and capacity of Singapore to deal with the pandemic, Ms Annamalai stressed, “When we finally emerge from this crisis—as we surely will—it is vital that we are able to say, with a clear conscience, that we tried our very best to protect everyone who lived and worked in this country, and trusted us with their wellbeing.”
“Given the urgency of these matters, we hope for a response from Minister Josephine Teo and the multi-agency taskforce for COVID-19 to our stated concerns, as soon as possible,” she added.
To sign the petition, please visit this link. ‘Protect our migrant workers from Covid-19’ 

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Malaysian court sentences man to 1,050 years’ jail, 24 strokes of the cane, for raping stepdaughter 105 times
AFP

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

26/01/2023
Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall
Community

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

26/01/2023
KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner
Health

KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

26/01/2023
Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW
AFP

Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

26/01/2023
8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan
AFP

8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

26/01/2023
“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉
Health

Nurse disabled permanently after vaccine injury and sacked by SGH; Did the hospital advise her to apply for VIFAP?

26/01/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Malaysian court sentences man to 1,050 years’ jail, 24 strokes of the cane, for raping stepdaughter 105 times

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

26/01/2023
Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

26/01/2023
KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

26/01/2023
Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

26/01/2023
8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

26/01/2023
“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

Nurse disabled permanently after vaccine injury and sacked by SGH; Did the hospital advise her to apply for VIFAP?

26/01/2023
Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

26/01/2023
Ruling on Trump ban marks defining moment for Facebook panel

Meta says Trump to be allowed back on Facebook, Instagram

26/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
29

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
27

...

Online petition calls for protection of migrant workers from COVID-19

by S.Ling
08/04/2020
0

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
35

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
26

...

April 2020
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
« Mar   May »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz