🏆 Who is responsible for Singapore’s migrant workers, and why does it matter?

Extract from Author

The COVID-19 cases among Singapore’s migrant worker population skyrocketed in mere weeks. On 1 April, they accounted for just ten of 1,000 cases; on 29 April, they formed 89% of 15,600 cases, making coronavirus prevalence among this group over 56 times higher than that of other Singapore residents. Even so, differences in conditions exist among migrant workers; some are more vulnerable than others. Furthermore, the crisis raises questions about who should be held accountable for these workers across the board—something the state normally assigns to employers.

Judges’ Comments

Many pieces have been written about how the pandemic has affected migrant workers here. Shona Loong’s commentary stands out because of her deep understanding of the different roles played by the state, employers and NGOs. She asks the right questions about whether the government was making employers do too much to take care of the welfare of workers, and not doing enough to recognise the work that NGOs do and take their feedback seriously.  

Written by
Shona Loong

Sunday,
5 May 2020

Commentary of the Month, Winner