Migrant Workers Bear the Brunt of Dangling Lorry Havoc
On a sunny Saturday morning (April 24), a lorry on Upper Bukit Timah Road went from graceful to a sideways mess, leaving nine foreign workers and the driver in a hospital scramble. The 35‑year‑old driver and his nine passengers were toppled onto the road, but miraculously they were still conscious when the emergency crews arrived.
What went wrong?
- Three workers (a driver and his nine passengers) were jammed on the lorry’s deck, a space that’s not exactly a seat‑belt area.
- The vehicle tip‑over left its canopy whining on the curb, and a handful of unsuspecting crew were spotted hanging around the wreck.
Bottom line: Sturdy seats + seat belts would have saved this bailout.
Same story, different tragedy
Just four days before, another lorry carrying foreign workers collided with a parked tipper on the Pan‑Island Expressway. Two workers died, 15 suffered injuries.
Why offenders keep slipping?
People say the law demands drivers “stay under the speed limit or 60 km h, whichever is lower” and that workers on a carriage deck must be “properly seated so they don’t fall off.” But that’s all the regulation says. No seat‑belt requirement.
Who’s pushing for change?
- Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home): “Transporting workers like cargo isn’t just unsafe—it’s downright cruel.”
- Ms Dipa Swaminathan (ItsRainingRaincoats): “Everyone deserves seat‑belts. They’ve saved lives big time. Why should migrant workers miss out?”
- Mr Zahirul Islam, safety coordinator: “Drivers, who’re often sleep‑y because shifts start early, rush around. Sleeplessness = more crashes.”
Calls for a better ride
Conversion to buses or vans is being championed. A Change.org petition is already up by 4,900 signatures, demanding safe transport.
Regulatory history
- In 2010, after three workers died from an overcrowded lorry, the government nudged lorries to add canopies and higher side railings.
- But industry costs slowed big changes—owners needed to double deck space to 8 sq ft per worker.
- Smaller contractors worried about the financial burden of buying extra vehicles or leasing buses.
COVID‑19 adds to the crunch
With construction projects stalled and new travel restrictions tightening, workers are resting on a platform that’s already shaky. The home‑based policy and short‑term visitor bans from India on April 22 are squeezing the industry further.
Bottom line
The choice is clear: seat‑belts, proper seating, or alternative transport. The words of Home’s spokesperson ring loud—“What cost of a human life?” And that cost is arguably far less than the price of upgrading safety standards.
