Labour Day 2021: Workers' Safety Should Be Better Protected

1 May 2021

This Labour Day, HOME calls for better safety for migrant workers.  Recent accidents killed two and injured 25 migrant workers being ferried in goods lorries. This follows 14 other work-related deaths between January to April 2021, many of whom were migrant workers.

The Road Traffic Act exception allowing lorry owners to transport their workers thereon should be removed. Migrant workers should be protected by the same passenger safety rules as for all commuters. Legislative carve-outs of lower safety standards are discriminatory because they endanger migrant workers disproportionately.

Migrant construction workers are not allowed to take mass public transport, currently. Since construction, marine and process work resumed, many drivers tell HOME they are on the road 13 to 16 hours daily, ferrying their colleagues for all work and essential errands.  Fatigue increases risk of accidents. Allowing vaccinated workers who have repeatedly tested Covid-negative to take public transport will reduce the burden on drivers.

If we accept that migrant workers’ lives are no less valuable than anyone else’s, then cost should not influence whether or not to follow basic standards that already apply to everyone else. Business operations must adapt to the law and to basic humanity; not the other way around.

The recent accidents sharpen 2021’s unprecedented spike in work-related deaths, which is on track to exceed pre-Covid 2019 figures.  Project timelines and late penalties put workers under increasing pressure, from above, to shortcut safety processes, HOME understands from injured workers.  Against the backdrop of workers being sent back and not allowed to transfer jobs, fatigue from increased workloads may increase accident risks.

Enforcement based on unannounced inspections, including anonymised interviews with rank-and-file workers, is needed.  Principal contractors, site and yard management should be held accountable for safety: proportionately to their greater authority on-site.

All workers should be free to seek new jobs. Lacking legal rights to remain and find new jobs upon termination, Work Permit holders are especially fearful of jeopardising their livelihood by whistle-blowing.  Opportunity to continue employment will empower workers to speak up and protect themselves and colleagues.

Real progress in industrial safety is inextricably linked to labour rights.  As we commemorate and honour workers this Labour Day, HOME urges strengthening both.