The Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore has disproportionately affected migrant workers.
Cramped living conditions and communal bathroom facilities, among other things, have facilitated the transmission of the coronavirus in worker dormitories.
Some of them were even locked in their dorms because of fears they would spread the virus.
In fact, even though the country is in Phase 2 and people are out and about, migrant workers in dormitories are still confined to their rooms.
One worker described it as a “prison” in an interview with The Guardian.
Now, we’re seeing how some are cracking under the stress of this troubled period.
A Migrant Worker Allegedly Slit His Throat in a Dorm; Now in Stable Condition
A 36-year-old migrant worker allegedly slit his own throat at a dormitory in Sungei Kadut, reported The New Paper.
Images showed the man lying at a staircase landing covered in blood.
The police say they were alerted to the incident at 7.30am. They arrived at the dormitory at Block 53 Sungei Kadut Loop and apprehended the man under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.
According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the dormitory operator and Fast Team (Forward Assurance and Support Team) on-site reacted quickly and treated the man’s injuries.
“He is now in a safe and stable condition”, the spokesman said.
Fast Teams were deployed in April to all purpose-built foreign worker dormitories to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. This includes medical posts and officers from the SAF, SPF, and MOM.
MOM said the man did not appear to be distressed prior to the incident and had no salary arrears.
Several Migrant Workers Engaging in Self-Destructive Behaviour
There has been a concerning number of migrant workers engaging in self-destructive behaviour in the past two weeks.
On 24 July, a 37-year-old Indian national was found dead at 512 Old Choa Chu Kang Road. No foul play was involved and it’s unknown how he died.
Three hours later, another foreign worker was seen standing at the edge of the roof of Sungei Tengah Lodge.
Fortunately, he was pulled away in time.
On the same day, a Chinese National was found standing at an elevated area.
Security officers as well as the FAST team on-site, managed to pull him away to safety.
The latest incident occurred on 31 July, when a 27-year-old worker stood on a window ledge at The Leo dormitory in Kaki Bukit.
Thankfully, the authorities calmed him down and brought him back to safety.
Migrant Workers Deserve Better Treatment
It’s not controversial to say that we don’t treat our migrant workers as well as we should.
It can’t be a coincidence that so many workers have been engaging in self-destructive behaviour recently.
Their living conditions certainly have to be improved, but we also need to change the way we view, treat, and speak about migrant workers.
We can’t claim to care about our migrant workers while holding troubling views like this:
Singaporeans lambasted the authorities for their treatment of migrant workers, and rightly so.
But when it was announced that new dorms would be built to reduce the density of existing dormitories and improve living conditions for workers, residents quickly changed their tune.
It’s sad that some of us have so little empathy and sentiment for the people who do back-breaking work for 10-12 hours a day to build our homes in return for a measly sum that they can send back to their families.
If we really do care about these workers, then let’s show it. Talk is cheap, as they say.
MOM has urged migrant workers to reach out if they require assistance. Here are some useful helplines:
- Migrant Workers’ 24-hour helpline: 6536 2692
- MOM feedback form: www.mom.gov.sg/efeedback
- HOME Helpline for Migrant Workers: 6341 5535
- TWC2 Helpline for Migrant Workers: 6297 7564
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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