Transporting Our Migrant Workers: Can It Be Safer? | Talking Point | Workplace Safety

On average, one worker is injured or killed in Singapore due to a lorry accident, every day. Despite years of debate in parliament, lorries are still being used to transport our migrant workers. Why? Along with some friends, host Rai Kannu finds out just how dangerous sitting at the back of a lorry is and what can be done to change the system.
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About the show: Talking Point investigates a current issue or event, offering different perspectives to local stories and revealing how it all affects you.
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[@codgamer]

As a tourist from Hong Kong, I always find it fascinating that a developed country like Singapore would let people travel in the back of a lorry. It looked so dangerous.

[@noproblematallmate]

You must provide better solution when you criticise.

[@codgamer]

@@noproblematallmate Is not a criticism, is an observation. The same thing that I see in HK that the domestic helpers don't have a place to rest on the weekend and have to put cardboards on the streets and ppl complain they are in the way...

[@AlphGen]

Singapore doesn't value low paid foreign workers, they are replaceable

[@niroshanadms]

only migrants are allowed to transport like this hahaha

[@AlphGen]

@@noproblematallmate bus or van, that was easy. There are lots of mini buses in Singapore to rent

[@arunsubramanian7949]

This is one of the ways Singapore stays competitive. Cattle transportation.

[@deschan2246]

Dont go !

[@jrPaperbag]

11:09 I was really impressed, his Mandarin is not bad.

[@OCK1995]

agreed. good job rai!

[@shalinicarnis]

Safety of migrant workers are compromised on many levels. No proper sanitation, food, living conditions, longer working hours during to covid delays, no proper medical facilities, expensive medical bills, not given proper rest area at sites, no proper safety gear attached while working on the ROOF of the buildings, WORKING UNDER THE RAIN. How much more do they have to endure???? They deserve the best or more than us for the mammoth level of work and sacrifice they exercise to build the country, which is their rice bowl. When will the government stop pretending all these does not happen?

[@AlphGen]

They aren't migrant workers, they will never get PR

[@ethanang3527]

They don't really care about us, all they care about was $$$ and profit for their families and elites, nothing else.

[@QuintessentialFlyer734]

Exactly! Singaporeans need to realise that the government's treatment of migrant workers reflects their view on labour as a whole. In Singapore, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness outweighs human/labour rights every time. We all have something to gain from improving the working conditions of migrant workers.

[@fongfattchee777]

There are 200-300,000 migrant workers and they all need to be at their work at 8am. The size of the bus/van fleet would require a massive car park most of the day. The AM traffic congestion & competition for road space impacts us all. It would trigger higher road pricing. Yet another round of unplanned urgent road-building programs that requires even more migrant workers, more park & natural spaces. Today, far far more people die on motorcycles... we can easily fix that first and give each of them a cheap small car. We save more lives at a far lower cost...The stunt driver was driving it as a stunt vehicle... Our Army guys and forces are transported using trucks. If we use buses to transport our Army Division troops - the combat train will be impractically LONG. Our concept of operations will need a refresh!

[@conanabang1515]

In the early 2000s I had so much fun sitting on top of the sound and light equipment at the back of the lorry. Looking back I must admit how luck I was not have met with any mishaps considering the number times the trip was made.

[@Whereiszk]

anyone same as me, surprised Rai can speak mandarin or only me? lol

[@celestialstar124]

I remember sitting at back of a pickup lorry when i am in my childhood and teens. We also play and sing along at the back of pickup while it's driving. Now all i could remember was joy and good memories. After seeing this i am starting to think about the safety of those sitting there now

[@menotred5026]

its all about helping SME bosses make more profit by pretending to care about workers' safety

[@kamingalbert]

In 2015, I had my first visit to Singapore 🇸🇬. The very sight of transporting people in the back of lorry was a shocking sigh5in a developed city. This practice was banned many years in HK due to the same reason, unnecessary casualties. As a visitor and after knowing only the noncitizen were in the back, you could understand why the law was not changed.

[@D3Jia]

kudos to CNA for speaking out for under-represented group in our society.

[@salimmiah6363]

I have seen in Dubai and Saudi Arabia that all the companies have to pay for the transport bus for the workers but it is very difficult to travel in Singapore lorries, many times when it rains it gets wet inside the lorries

[@diva555sg]

Not in Qatar! They make you sign another contract in their language which you do not know what you are signing when you are in their country, seize your passport & lock you up if you do not obey. You are slave & not worker.

[@wynn6977]

The boss of company has one equation, "Goods = His hard labours". By doing this, can carry heavy goods and can transport workers. Another words, saving costs and increase his gross margin. Boss might not redesign the lorry because no longer can carry goods. 😀

[@donknow5066]

Can do an episode of construction sector's CEOs, Directors and those OOs homes and annual salaries.

[@fungeese]

Back of pickups are meant to carry goods and tools, not people, and hence passengers will not be covered by insurance!

[@dawnn2269]

Hope we continue to have people like Alex yam speaking out for these workers in parliament

[@ryantan1022]

Majority of the associated issues are tied to breaking existing laws on storage requirements and also the driver improperly driving, not the actual vehicle type, the solution is proper training and enforcement

[@limdavid8287]

I was always surprised that a modern country like Singapore still allow this kind of transportation (same like Thailand) where it is totally against the law in Malaysia. Just curious how does the authority think of road safety when basic thing like this also can be overlooked.

[@believe88]

Jo Teo

[@sktoh4469]

The lives of migrant workers are not worth much that's why.

[@sjrnfel]

seeing ppl sitting in the backs of the little trucks was a huge surprise to me as a tourist to singapore

[@tajabdullah.malaysia]

this modern slavery

[@noproblematallmate]

slaves cant quit their jobs. these people can. and they choose to come under contract... they can always leave when contract ends hardship means slavery? means most people are slaves... slaves to society

[@ainzooalgown7589]

slaves , US has the most slaves, all prison inmates earn 7cent per hour when fighting forest fires

[@peted3637]

"Prof, could you explain to me what happened here?" Prof: The driver was driving like a total flog!

[@easyrecipesanddeliciousfoo2954]

💖🌷💖🌷💖Love the channel !

[@maximus6884]

And they go through so much worse. People should look into their lives.

[@DAMNBros]

Why not redesign the canopy ? Or solve the issue of vans/busses not being multifunctional

[@AlphGen]

You assume the cargo has value and therefore worth protecting. First World nations using third world standards of transport. Anything over 30km for unprotected humans means serious injury or death

[@ryantan1022]

Nsf should then only be transported in APCs and GP cars then? Singaporeans first please!

[@MrNippon510]

Even Singapore has 2 stroke bikes running on SG roads where Euro 6 buses are running

[@edwardlee4312]

Sitting behind a truck in australia is illegal.

[@deschan2246]

Bus or lorry, once u drive recklessly its not safe

[@jeanniemccandless9333]

Why did you not address the issue of the lack of training of the driver? If the driver is trained to drive defensively there would be no accidents. What was shown here was an irresponsible driver yet reckless driving was completely ignored in this video. You are dancing around the problem.

[@stephenvincent4706]

In other words, lives are cheaper than vehicles.

[@reezdog]

Maybe Singapore's supreme leader can change this. You think that renting a bus would be cheap to do.

[@maximus6884]

yet there are people who dare say that Singapore treats foreigners right. At each level, all types of foreign workers are unfairly treated especially during the pandemic. ICA kept them away from their families and issued many warnings in-conjunction with employers. What a horrible life those people live. Why couldn't the responsible parties become humane and treat foreigners as human beings too? Imagine being away from your parents, children, spouse for more than an year. Imagine being told by employer to sign an agreement accepting the consequences of taking the entitled leave if an employee decides to just visit home for just week days or a week. Imaging working hard everyday under those conditions not knowing when it will end. Perhaps the ICA needs to re-think about its policies towards the hard working foreign workforce who feels helpless in singapore.

[@JG-li4go]

Why use circuit for re-enactment? This is not how our roads are designed, circuits are full of turns every new seconds. And do you turn that fast on the road? No. Exaggerations.

[@harrish8812]

Totally agree with you. Shouldn't test it on the circuit.

[@dayylogg9716]

The root of the problem is speeding and lorry driver qualified with 'kopi' license. All lorry drivers employed for ferrying workers must undergo additional driving course and qualification test by LTA.

[@tomfsker]

Doesn't matter how much improvement or changes, it is still not safe if the lorry get hit on the sideway.

[@HoshikawaHikari]

Okay I’m kinda surprised when Rai spoke Chinese, nice!! XD

[@Chan4k]

In cars and taxi, Children below 8years old mandatorily needs a child seat and every passengers must wear seat belts. If failed, need to pay hefty fine. But, workers can be transported like garbage, if asked, the reasons are cost blah blah blah, convenient blah blah blah, other countries also do that too blah blah blah. This is simply a dark and double standard of a developed country. I have seen worker sometimes sleeping on travel without any protection. Why can't companies use Go Go passenger vans, or Grab or allow others to create a rental transport systems to ferry workers, so that companies they can hire them whenever they want instead of blah blah about cost of buying a vehicle and its usage after ferrying workers?

[@IsabellaFlames2023]

Let’s drive safe! Roads are to move us around, let’s play attention ❤️

[@thedamnhappygurl]

the best way to go is just ban, and make the switch to buses mandatory. Its inevitable that companies/businesses will mind the costs, so this is where the govt can come in and offer some form of subsidies to encourage the switch over. As much as i'm very thankful and proud of our country's progress and governance, but issues like these that make me wonder why are we still so dated in our practices. I grow up so sheltered and privileged as a young SGrean that it's just so easy to overlook the daily discomfort/difficulties our foreign friends face. What is it that made their lives less worth protecting than ours? SG have made so much progress into a first-world society. Let's work hard to be more daring and effective when dealing with issues. Also thank you for covering this topic!

[@believe88]

Post a comment and thats it

[@thedamnhappygurl]

​@@believe88 hmm I hope I misinterpreted your tone but it seems that all your comments on other yt videos are quite bitter... For the sake of my sharing, I shall regard you as a figure playing the devil's advocate :) Well, all things started with an idea, followed by conversations and then actions to make it happen! ofc throughout the process, there may be a lot of hiccups but it's only the good people that go through all to make it happen! :) Thank you for reminding me that there's more than commenting, so I'll be sharing actions that people around me and myself have taken after the incident. 1. Talk more about it! Like Rai said in the video, although there aren't any immediate and concrete steps we can take, but starting conversations about it is helpful! The more conversations we have, the more this issue is highlighted. Sometimes, it might also invite conversations like these - but instead of choosing a perspective like yours, I can choose to look at turning it into something more fruitful. I can choose to turn this debate into a sharing! There is an instagram page called humansnotcargo: [instagram.com/humansnotcargo/?hl=en] that constantly highlights the plight of our migrant friends. There is even an email template that you may click in the bio, to take it higher up. Other than that, there are many other useful pages such as itsrainingraincoat: [instagram.com/itsrainingraincoats/?hl=en] that initiates events to help our friends! You can volunteer your time, and money over there if you're keen! 2. Sign petitions! In our current digital generation, petitions do have a say! Through mass signing, media attention is generated and the media is able to report about public's opinion. Then, the governement will address the concern. The process may be slow but do not underestimate the influence of public pressure! This is a petition link that @Believe you can sign as well! Although small, but this will definitely be another step higher than 'post a comment and that's it'. The link is very easy to navigate as well! If it's too hard for you, I think you can google on how to do it :) www.change.org/p/land-transport-authority-make-it-mandatory-to-transport-workers-in-buses-or-vans 3. Donate to the victims/charity Although I do not have great income as I'm still studying, but I did chipped in a small amount with my friends to donate to the victim of the accident. I will not be pasting the link to it as I'm not sure if you can still do that, and I wouldn't want my comment to be deleted after writing so much haha (you can google search for it!) Lastly, I just want to say that I chose to do a lengthy reply instead to your lukewarm response because it seemed like this is largely the attitude of our fellow Singaporeans. IMO, We are very fortunate to live in a stable country that we often forget how privileged we are as compared to many other countries. And somehow, it has produced this sense of complacency that we are superior than others. I'm still really young but I recognised my privileges that comes with being born in Singapore, and to the efforts of my hardworking parents. So I will not turn a blind eye, o even leave unpleasant comments. In my smallest way such as holding conversations, signing petitions and even donating money out of my PT wage - I am able to help. I hope I was the vile one that misinterpreted your comment but nonetheless, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to share and discuss more. I hope you have a good day and that you will have a chance to receive acts of kindness, and return them to people in need :) edited: to insert the links to the ig pages

[@samuelross9884]

I have an idea. Have a public fleet of labor transport vehicles available to all companies operating in Singapore. You want workers transported from here to there? Call a van or bus from the fleet. These vehicles will be used throughout the day and night, and will therefore be cost effective.

[@wizdante]

2:14 - it is not about the cost not even a minute later... 2:40 - the cost per usage is way lower than a van and a bus... so in summary, yes its the cost outweighing the safety of the workers

[@andyl3361]

Its about the dual usage of transporting materials after transporting workers. Make the workers find their own way to the job site, problem solved...

[@a7128]

It's not Singaporeans that are killed in these accidents- it's foreign workers mainly from South Asia. They can be replaced easily. It's not fair that constructions firms should pay extra to make travelling to and from work easier for Indian workers. Yes, it's sad if they die, but we have to practical and think about cost efficiency.

[@alaxn542yyggghbhbbbbbbbnnj]

I agree, if they want safety ,they should buy their own car or walk

[@Adenlqy]

i dont think the test of sitting behind the lorry on a racing track is a good comparison for a real world test real world test is testing in real conditions not a race track

[@wongwss86]

Ya, they r just talking bullshit and did stupid test, that can't compare with normal use on road

[@fideyanajohari6105]

Why don't they use the foldable sitaway instead of putting it sideways , why not place it frontwards and use a 4 point seat belts ? Since prof says that side ways sits is not effective because it's moving side ways and use a side railings with a soft items like inflatable air bags within the ceiling and the side walls of the lorries so when it collides it would deploy and save the workers from head injuries and possibly a broken arm and a broken legs ?

[@limjithwee6172]

Is all depend on the driver that drive it. Don't you see lorry in Lane 1 ?

[@vysakh3894]

Treating parents as a worker, think it first, I hate this country

[@jsp001]

In Singapore, the so-called "cost considerations", "practicality" and "efficiency" have a greater value than a human life... oh wait! considering these lorries typically transport multiple workers, that should be... human LIVES!! And, unbelievably, this with the explicit approval of the Singapore Government!!

[@TeamPhilippines]

Singapore is a Rich City/Country, why not Buy Buses to Transport Workers? or Vans or Mini Buses.

[@rosleeross5205]

The problem is they drive like crazy specialy in the morning they rushing catching time

[@ang7792]

Riding on public buses also puts lives in danger leh how 😟

[@dynaway]

3 point seat belt on side facing seat is suicidal, you gonna break your neck during impact.

[@telmopaz]

Similar to the other video "should I allow my maid to use the phone?"

[@STUDIODAKWAHALAMINAMINORIGINAL]

The understanding of Newton's Laws is very important. 😊

[@soanwahlee5089]

Lorry are safe,but these are lorries chai,you know. It not safe for lorry chai.

[@cra_55]

At least be like SAF tonners with bench seats and seatbelts

[@jakerawrz]

Innovative designs by Akbar!

[@jujuProductions]

my guy yap fook fah do be sounding like he shooting down these ideas without considering that a neck injury from a seatbelt sounds a lot better than death from being thrown out of a moving lorry

[@ge3p]

This issue is being highlighted simply because no tourist in Singapore and the tour coach is parking till rot. If there is no pandemic, will the issue be raised?

[@basironjuhari8685]

only the driver drive within the speed limit.....

[@asmuni16]

Military using truck/lorry to transport soldiers, right?

[@TeamPhilippines]

Its Bigger. Less Faster and build for different terrain.

[@harukrentz435]

@@TeamPhilippines exactly.

[@ivanteo1973]

separate transporting human and tools. Singapore has always boast having the best public transport system so why not workers take bus mrt walk, like everyone else do?

[@chenen2995]

wow dude you speak mandarin

[@mingz]

i see many speeding at 90km/h

[@AirbusA350Aussie]

Just use a toyota hiace

[@gotmyonu1027]

Can you bus right!!! Safer.... SG doesn't really care, if not they could have use buses.

[@ngrobert5054]

Pls import more

[@believe88]

at least their family got the million dollar payout

[@mahadzirabdkarim4800]

$$$$ synonim with Singapore no.1 Safety is 2nd

[@proudasiangirl576]

This is STUPID! No one should EVER be driving around turns (5:07) at a speed where your wheels are screeching nor knocking from side to side of the vehicle, unless you are being shot at. This experiment is stupid and not even be realistic. Not only is the host stupid to do this dumb experiment, but the "friends" are stupid for joining and putting their own lives on the line. For what? An experiment to see if they'll die from it? Not the brightest bunch, that's for sure! They should at the VERY LEAST add safety harnesses for the passengers.

[@lucretius8050]

Try driving the same way with standing passengers on a bus and see what happens, the demonstrations here isn't scientific or well represented. If you ever ridden a bus that have performed an emergency brake before then you will know it is not any safer. This is a problem because of the whole industry trying to cost saving on levels, it is just a symptom of a larger problem.

[@metalextras]

if You carry workers on lorry like this in batam or Johor ah, cop will stop you, only in Singapore... 1st world country, 3rd world mentality

[@somethingcalvin]

Migrant workers are human beings not livestock. The safety right of any human being should be a no brainer. Make the GM, the minster and Mr Prof ride at the back of these trays everyday instead of their comfortable and safe cars.

[@ryantan1022]

Going by this logic, should we use tax payers money to buy cars for poorer Singaporeans that rely on motorcycles ? Last I checked, motorcycles were even more dangerous in an accident, maybe in future Malaysian labour should be given a car too for their daily commute ? Come on….when can we stop focusing on benefits of foreigners over our own citizens? If they’re willing to take the risk knowingly then that is the reality of life…nobody forced them to come here

[@alaxn542yyggghbhbbbbbbbnnj]

Maybe they need s 12 point tsngle seat belt

[@mtmt1274]

they are not only workers. they are the builders of our nation, so please treat them as humans at the bare minimum.

[@H3adl3sschick3n]

Rai in his element

[@haidendin3271]

Rightfully should seat at the seating area 3:25 and not at the way back 4:48.

[@alaxn542yyggghbhbbbbbbbnnj]

I do think if it cost Singaporean even 1 cent more in his ir her lifetime then it is nit worth it to change the law, i rather thousand of migrant worker take the risk and die or they can walk. But no Singaporean should be poorer fir someone else lazyness to walk . All they need to fo is walk and deduct the lost time from yheir wages. But they are greedy thats why they take lorry. Its this greedyness take they rather risk their lifr, its their choice.

[@harukrentz435]

W T F? WHY ARE YOU USING LORRY LIKE THIS FOR HUMAN?! SO MUCH FOR BEING CHEAP A*S!!!

[@kevtacy1]

Lol 20k

[@Tan92lfc]

Migrants have different make up. They are a Sturdy lot.

[@noproblematallmate]

safer ah? all wear helmet while on the lorry. super safe

[@vincentpoon9960]

Frankly the commentators are exacerbated all this the lorry is driving too fast at the corners . It’s a tradition in Singapore

[@H3adl3sschick3n]

wah workers so pampered got canapés in lorry