Stay-Home Notice Extension For Construction Workers: More Support And Care Needed

2 May 2020

HOME remains concerned about the precarious situation construction workers are in as a result of the extension of the stay home notice until 18 May 2020. We had previously highlighted that access to basic needs such as food and health care will be a challenge for workers who are totally dependent on their employers to provide the same, and who are unable to leave their places of accommodation to secure these items. 

In the last two weeks, we have been involved in outreach to over 30 different locations where workers are housed, and provided food, cash and supplies such as masks to approximately 150 workers. In the course of our work, we have met workers who have been turned out of their previous places of accommodation, are not supplied with adequate meals by their employers and do not have cash to purchase mobile phone credit to communicate with their friends and families. Some of them needed medical care and were unable to access it. Many lived in cramped rooms with poor ventilation. 

We have also met workers who were told by the authorities to evacuate their existing accommodation spaces, which were deemed to be too crowded. While we agree that it is necessary to reduce congestion in the spaces where workers reside, more support should have been given for them to find alternative accommodation. Several workers we met ended up finding other spaces which were just as crowded, if not more so.  

Workers who are on special passes, i.e. those whose work permits have been cancelled but are required to remain behind to assist in police or MOM investigations, are especially vulnerable. In these cases, the workers have filed claims against their employers and the relationship between the employer and the worker has soured. Their employers are no longer communicating with them and in some cases, the companies that they have worked for have closed down.The workers are thus left to fend for themselves. Enforcing the employer’s obligations of upkeep and maintenance for this category of workers is especially challenging. It is also difficult to hold employers accountable during this time as the Ministry of Manpower’s resources have been predominantly allocated to the well-being of workers in the purpose-built, and factory-converted dormitories, where the spread of Covid-19 has been rampant. 

We believe the workers we have assisted so far represent a very small proportion of those who require assistance. There are many more workers living outside of purpose-built and factory-converted dormitories who require support for their employment troubles, and are in need of financial assistance, food, proper accommodation and access to medical care. Despite facing the stress of being confined to their living quarters, which are often cramped and do not make for comfortable living, many workers we met understand the necessity of the quarantine measures, and have shown great resilience. However, this also means that we need to double up on our efforts to provide care and support to them. More resources are required in order to meet the needs of this vulnerable group. We urge the government to allow more groups, especially non-governmental organisations who work closely with migrant workers, to be classified as providing essential services, so that the needs of more workers can be met.