What Price A Worker's Life?

This letter was published by TODAY on 26 June 2010.

We refer to 'Expedite timetable, train lorry drivers'. HOME agrees with Dr Lim Wee Kiak that the the deadline for employers to comply with the new transport regulations should be expedited. The Land Transport Authority has given employers until 2012 to install higher railings and canopies on their lorries. Do the lives of foreign workers which are lost during this period before the deadline not matter? Based on the press release issued in 2009 when the new measures were announced, it is worth noting that the work group which recommended them did not have any union representatives or worker’s groups on its committee. Therefore, it is not surprising that the recommendations fell short of ensuring more urgent action was taken to prioritise the safety of workers.

Small and medium sized companies may be concerned that hiring safer modes of transport such as buses may add to their costs. However, the lives of human beings should not just be measured in dollars and cents. The recent stories of the workers affected by the attacks at Kallang, for example, have shown how deaths and injuries can have an adverse impact on the families of the workers, many of whom are sole bread winners. Not only does the family have to deal with the grief of the loss of a loved one, it also has to worry about its future and survival.

Employers should also take a broader perspective and view such alternatives as necessary investments for their businesses which will benefit them in the long run. A company which ignores safety will be saddled with costly medical bills, and lost man hours; ultimately, the company's productivity will be affected. The cost of hiring buses can be significantly reduced if employers sign collective agreements with transport companies offering bus services. These companies will be able to offer lower rates when there is a strong demand. This will create economies of scale, making it more affordable for employers to hire buses.