Covid-19: Study Shows Workers Worried About Accommodation, Access to Sanitation, And Wages
24 April 2020
The Centre for Culture Centered Approach To Research and Evaluation (CARE) and HOME released the findings of a study today to find out more about the challenges and issues facing migrant workers living in the locked down dormitories amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. The challenges described in this report are similar to feedback that we have been receiving from workers in the locked down dormitories. Below is a summary of the study
Methodology
One hundred and one participants were recruited between April 9 and April 20 through snowball sampling, with the link to the survey circulated in networks of low-wage migrant workers. In addition, migrant workers were recruited through social networks and the survey was administered over phone. The sample comprises predominantly Bangladeshi migrant workers, with representation by a smaller number of Indian workers. The sample does not include Chinese workers. The current study suffers from multiple limitations, including the method of recruitment. Given the snowball method of circulating the survey link, quality control is difficult. However, a large majority of the data gathering took place over the phone, enabling verification.
Findings
Preventive behaviours
Most of the participants demonstrated a strong sense of awareness about the preventive steps to be followed to stop the spread of COVID19. For a large majority of low-wage migrant workers in Singapore, self-reported awareness of preventive measures is high. In response to the statement, “I am aware of the preventive steps I need to take to protect myself from COVID19,” 20.2% “somewhat agreed,” 37.4% “agreed,” and 33.3% “strongly agreed.”
In addition, most of the participants agreed that they were aware of the one meter rule of social distancing for preventing the spread of COVID19. In response to the statement, “I am aware of the 1 meter rule for preventing the spread of COVID19,” 17.2% “somewhat agreed,” 42.4% “agreed,” and 33.3% “strongly agreed.”
Participants noted that they were largely following the guidelines for preventive behavior outside. In response to the statement, “I am avoiding interactions with other migrant workers outside,” 26.5% “somewhat agreed,” 32.7% “agreed,” and 28.6% “strongly agreed.”
Participants further noted that they were taking care not to intermingle with other workers outside of their rooms in their dorms. In response to the statement, “I am not inter-mingling with other residents between blocks or between floors,” 20.2% “somewhat agreed,” 36.4% “agreed,” and 28.3% “strongly agreed.”
In response to the statement, “I am not leaving the room unless necessary,” 18.2% “somewhat agreed,” 40.4% “agreed,” and 28.3% “strongly agreed.”
Participant responses were similar when discussing their movements outside the dormitory. In response to the statement, “I am not leaving the dormitory to go outside,” 16.3% “somewhat agreed,” 40.8% “agreed,” and 28.6% “strongly agreed.”
Accommodation issues
For the participants, the key barriers to behavior were structural. These structural barriers meant that the participants felt constrained in practicing the recommended health behaviors. The in-depth interviews conducted as part of the qualitative component of this project point consistently to worker concerns about housing. For a large majority of low-wage migrant workers in Singapore, self-reported practice of one meter distance in the dorms was unlikely. In response to the statement, “I am able to follow one meter rule of social distance where I stay,” 38.4% “strongly disagreed,” 28.3% “disagreed,” and 9.1% “somewhat disagreed.”
Most of the workers attributed this inability to follow the one meter rule to the cramped conditions in the dormitory. In response to the statement, “I can’t follow the one meter rule of social distance because of cramped conditions in the dormitory,” 12% “somewhat agreed,” 31% “agreed,” and 35% “strongly agreed.”
In this backdrop, the participants note that the room where they are staying is unhygienic. To the statement “The room where I am staying is unhygienic,” 13.1% participants indicated they “somewhat agreed,” 27.3% “agreed,” and 31.3% “strongly agreed.”
In addition to the cramped conditions in the rooms, the participants point to the pressures on the already scarce toilets because of the increased number of workers that are now staying in their rooms all day. In response to the statement, “The toilet where I am staying is dirty,” 10.1% respondents “somewhat agree,” 25.3% respondents “agree” and 30.3% respondents “strongly agree.”
Water and soap
When asked about the availability of soap and sanitizer, 18% of the participants indicated that they “strongly disagreed” with the statement, “I have adequate supply of soap and hand sanitizer to wash my hands.” Moreover, 23% stated that they “disagreed,” 16% “somewhat disagreed,” 12% “neither agreed nor disagreed,” 18% “somewhat agreed,” 11% “agreed,” and 2 % “strongly agreed.”
Similarly, 31.6% of the participants indicated that they “strongly disagreed” with the statement “I have adequate supply of water to wash my hands.” Moreover, 22.4% stated that they “disagreed,” 10.2% “somewhat disagreed,” 7.1% “neither agreed nor disagreed,” 14.3% “somewhat agreed,” 12.2% “agreed,” and 2 % “strongly agreed.”
Wage and salary issues
For a large majority of low-wage migrant workers in Singapore, having access to wages amidst the lock-down is a key concern. In response to the statement, “I am confident that I will get my salary although I have not been working because of COVID19,” 53.5% “strongly disagreed,” 20.2% “disagreed,” and 10.1% “somewhat disagreed” while 10.1% “somewhat agreed.”
When asked about the government’s policy response supporting low-wage migrant workers, 27% of the participants indicated that they “strongly disagreed” with the statement “I am aware of the government payment to migrant workers because of COVID19.” 18% stated that they “disagreed,” 11% “somewhat disagreed,” 7 % “neither agreed nor disagreed,” 12% “somewhat agreed,” 22% “agreed,” and 3 % “strongly agreed.”
Most of the participants who responded to the survey noted that they did not feel confident that they would receive their wage/salary. 53.5% of the participants indicated that they “strongly disagreed” with the statement “I am confident that I will get my salary although I have not been working because of COVID19.” Moreover, 20.2% stated that they “disagreed,” 10.1% “somewhat disagreed,” 4 % “neither agreed nor disagreed,” 10.1% “somewhat agreed,” 1% “agreed,” and 1 % “strongly agreed.”
Lack of voice
In the backdrop of the strong structural barriers and the lack of certainty regarding the payment of wages/salaries, 33.3% of the participants indicated that they “strongly agreed” with the statement “I feel scared to bring up any issues I am experiencing.” Moreover, 29.3% stated that they “agreed,” 3% “somewhat agreed,” 11.1 % “neither agreed nor disagreed,” 8.1% “somewhat disagreed,” 11.1% “disagreed,” and 4 % “strongly disagreed.”
Participants reported their knowledge of how to approach the Ministry of Manpower to share any challenges they face. In response to the statement, “I know how to approach the Ministry of Manpower to share any challenges I am facing,” 19% “strongly disagreed,” 28% “disagreed,” and 19% “somewhat disagreed” while 14% “somewhat agreed.”
In response to the statement, “If I have difficulties, I know whom to talk to” 29% “strongly disagreed,” 31% “disagreed,” and 10% “somewhat disagreed” while 9% “somewhat agreed” and 9% “agreed.”
Mental health
The findings also showed that more than an overwhelming majority of workers were experiencing mental health issues
In response to the statement, “I feel sad,” 13% “somewhat agreed,” 27% “agreed,” and 30% “strongly agreed.”
In response to the statement, “I feel depressed,” 11% “somewhat agreed,” 28% “agreed,” and 29% “strongly agreed.”
Recommendations
Based on the survey, the following short-term and long-term solutions are outlined:
Short-term solutions
Prioritise reducing overcrowding in dorms by limiting the number of workers to 3-4 per room.
Ensure the residential infrastructures have adequate toilets and showers, limiting the numbers to 3-4 workers per toilet and shower.
Ensure availability of basic cleaning supplies, running water and adequate waste disposal.
Ensure workers that raise concerns are able to do so freely without fear of punishment. Particularly, foster a climate of open communication which encourages workers to speak freely to their employers, dormitory operators and to the authorities, and which strengthens workers’ voices.
Create mental health support and counselling services for workers.
Ensure workers are able to communicate with their families. Make communication such as wifi and phone calls accessible so migrant workers can stay connected with their networks.
Ensure worker wages/salaries are paid on time. Transfer wages/salaries directly to accounts of workers. Reassure workers that their salaries/wages will be paid.
In the climate of fear, civil society organizations ought to be particularly careful about securing informed consent in representing issues. Care needs to be taken to protecting the security, health, and wellbeing of the workers. For civil society, it is vital that the same power differentials that exist between authority figures and the workers are not repeated through behaviors that further silence workers.
Long-term solutions
Legalize a framework for worker-led, and worker-owned unions and groups that represent the needs of low-wage migrant workers.
Conduct a review of all laws pertaining to the employment, wellbeing and living conditions of migrant workers and ensure that they comply with international standards