Netizens Divided Over the Use of Partitions in Lorries That Ferry Migrant Workers

If you came across this photo before the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s safe to say you’d be a little confused.

But now, because everyone’s familiar with social distancing practices, you know exactly what’s going on.

Still, it does look a little different to the social distancing you’re used to.

Facebook user Raj Singh posted the image of the segregated workers on a lorry, writing what everyone must have thought when they first saw the image – “Seriously WTF”.

In his post, Raj says that while “social distance is important”, this kind of segregation is stupid, and shows what people “think of foreign workers- animals”.

Spacing Between Workers Mandatory

As you know, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made it a requirement for employers and lorry owners to ensure their workers are seated 1-metre apart at the back of lorries since 10 April.

This is to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission, which is understandable considering the high number of infections among migrant workers.

30 companies were investigated in April for breaching these rules, so you can see why some companies are taking it so seriously now.

But is this really what the authorities had in mind?

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Netizens Divided

As with every other issue on the internet, netizens were divided.

Many agreed with Raj, saying it was “disturbing” how we were treating these workers like “animals”.

Some believe that these partitions are a safety hazard which could endanger the workers if an accident occurred.

Others questioned why these workers couldn’t be transported on a bus instead, especially at a time when residents are not commuting as much as they used to.

One user, however, defended the practice, comparing it to soldiers seated in large army vehicles.

Why Are Workers Transported On Lorries Anyway?

Many of us have grown up seeing migrant workers being ferried on lorries, so we’ve never really questioned it.

But why aren’t they transported on buses or in vans? Especially after the back-breaking work that they do all day?

One netizen brought up this issue, saying the Covid-19 pandemic offers us an opportunity to rethink some longstanding practices.

Partitions for 12 Workers

In the comments on the post, one user posted a video of what appears to be a demonstration of how the partition will be set up and used.

The man taking the video says that they are doing a “demo for this lorry arrangement” and goes on to show how the partition works.

The man demonstrates how each partition is secured tightly to the base using bolts, and asks 12 workers to climb aboard and sit in their respective compartments.

The cameraman added that the partition wouldn’t shake because it would be locked, presumably to assure viewers of the safety of the partition.

The men were then asked to get off the lorry.

Would We Treat Singaporeans Like This?

While some have defended these partitions, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: no company would make Singaporeans sit in tiny compartments like this if we had to be ferried from one place to another.

Can you imagine the pandemonium if MRT’s and buses were suddenly fitted with these partitions?

If we believe that migrant workers and Singaporeans should be treated equally, then surely they deserve a decent vehicle to bring them back home as much as we do.

Manpower Minister Josephine Teo recently said that there is definitely a need to improve conditions for foreign workers in dormitories, but maybe the authorities should revisit the practice of transporting workers in lorries too.

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