MARUAH letter to The Straits Times Forum: Safer transport options part of migrant workers’ right to favourable work conditions (published 10 March 2026)

10 March 2026

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-safer-transport-options-part-of-migrant-workers-right-to-favourable-work-conditions

We refer to the story “Ferrying workers in caged lorry decks to be banned from Jan 1, 2027” (March 5).

MARUAH, a human rights organisation, welcomes Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling’s announcement that lorries fitted with cages will be banned from ferrying workers starting Jan 1, 2027. This move acknowledges longstanding concerns, from over 20 years by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and unions, on the safety and dignity of migrant workers. Eliminating caged lorries is a step in the right direction, though long overdue.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) shared in 2025 that there were 215 injured migrant workers between 2015 and 2019, and 161 between 2020 and 2024, with fatalities averaging one per year over a decade. These numbers are those of our guest workers.

Surely, we must ensure their safety through higher standards to reduce, if not eliminate, risks of harm or death. This aligns with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 155, which mandates that national policy must minimise causes of hazards in “all places where workers need to go by reason of their work and which are under the direct or indirect control of the employer” (Article 3c). Transporting workers in lorries is contradictory to principles of safety and minimising hazards.

To further strengthen safety, we urge a review of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) regarding definitions of “deck” and “passenger vehicles”. Current definitions allow “effects” – including tools – to be carried alongside workers in lorries, which has brought about caged lorries and for workers, cramped and unsafe transport conditions.

We suggest that MOT work with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Manpower, and the National Trades Union Congress to keep track of injured workers holding work permits or S Passes.

We urge the Government to consider implementing the RTA’s provision for an “omnibus” as dedicated passenger transport. This is already in place at Farrer Park on migrant workers’ days off. This does offer a viable case study.

A multi-stakeholder work group involving relevant ministries, employers’ associations, unions, NGOs and migrant worker bodies should be set up to further examine omnibus possibilities, timely reporting for work, safety, cost-bearers and subsidies.

Safer transport options are part of our migrant workers’ right to just and favourable conditions of work. We look forward to more timely collective steps in the right direction.

Braema Mathi
President, MARUAH

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[Straits Times – Opinion] Forum: Concerns arise from misunderstanding of Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill (reply by Ministry of Home Affairs)

2 October 2021

PUBLISHED OCT 2, 2021, 12:00 AM SGT – https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-concerns-arise-from-misunderstanding-of-foreign-interference-countermeasures

Mr Harpreet Singh Nehal expressed some concerns on the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill (Anti-foreign interference Bill – 3 areas of concern, Sept 28).

Mr Singh’s concerns arise from a basic misunderstanding of the Bill and its provisions.

He says that the broad language of the Bill may capture “perfectly legitimate collaborative activity” undertaken by Singapore citizens and non-governmental organisations, which seek to “influence and improve” our laws and policies.

He also says that directions under Part 3 of the Bill could be issued against “legitimate online activity”, even in the absence of any manipulation or influence by a foreign government or its agents.

These assertions are quite inaccurate.

The Bill does not apply to Singaporeans discussing issues, or advocating any matter (regardless of what the Government or anyone else thinks about that).

The Bill will also not cover the vast array of collaborations between Singaporeans and foreigners, on many matters.

However, if a Singaporean acts on behalf of a foreign principal, and if such actions are contrary to public interest, then directions can be issued to such a person.

One example of this would be if a foreign government agency pays a Singaporean to conduct an online campaign, to create discord and unrest among Singaporeans. Such modus operandi have been repeatedly used around the world.

If the above involves covert activity, the persons involved can be prosecuted.

The philosophy underpinning the Bill is a longstanding one – we should not allow foreign subversion of our country and society.

The Bill complements our existing legislation, by providing a targeted and calibrated approach to be used against hostile information campaigns, conducted by foreign agencies and foreigners.

More information on the Bill can be found on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ website: https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/press-releases/first-reading-of-foreign…

Mr Singh also says that the Bill restricts the role of the Singapore courts to review some actions.

The offences in the Bill relating to criminal conduct are all required to be prosecuted in the courts.

For directions against hostile information campaigns, the oversight will be by a tribunal, headed by a Supreme Court Judge.

Such provisions are not new, and exist in several pieces of legislation.

The matters to be considered in the issuance of directions, (including information obtained through intelligence) may often have to be kept highly confidential.

The courts have also recognised, on several occasions, including in the Nagaenthran case (which Mr Singh refers to), that the judicial process may not be best suited to deal with such issues. Instead, as stated earlier, a tribunal headed by a High Court judge will deal with these matters.

Sam Tee
Senior Director, Joint Operations Group
Ministry of Home Affairs

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Letter to the Straits Times on 29 April 2020: “Seeking Official Clarity”

11 May 2020

MARUAH submitted the following letter to the Forum Page of the Straits Times on 29 April 2020 in response to reports of Members of Parliament doing walkabouts in Channel News Asia. It has yet to be published.

I refer to reports of Members of Parliament doing walkabouts in Channel News Asia (MP Seah Kian Peng explains visit to market after Facebook post on ‘playing role of safe distancing ambassador’; 27th April) and The Straits Times (MP Chia Shi-Lu responds to criticism of Sunday walkabout; 14th April).

The MPs, from Marine Parade GRC and Tanjong Pagar GRC, were reported as saying that they were doing their walkabout to find out how people were coping and to encourage compliance to orders under the Circuit Breaker which was ordered on April 3rd and went into effect on April 8th. New laws – the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 and The Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 – were put into place to give clarity on measures, on enforcements and on penalties. The PAP suspended the Meet-the-People’s sessions between MPs and residents on April 13th. These measures were also introduced at various stages by the multi-task force dealing with containment of Covid-19 infections and treatment of cases. Much education on safety and prevention had also been taking place, frequently, by staff, volunteers and the media.

By the laws enacted MPs’ work are not listed as essential service providers (https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg/essentialservices/). These are provided for by front liners, healthcare workers on the ground, civil service officers, counsellors and support officers from various sectors and communities. There is also a website on legal and assistance measures for affected persons, during this challenging time (https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/news/press-releases/2020-04-20-covid-19-temporary-measures-act-provisions-relating-to-temporary-reliefs-to-commence-on-20-april-2020).
As such, one is hard-pushed to appreciate this extra support from the MPs at this time, putting at risk the containment efforts and themselves in flouting the Covid-19( Temporary Measures) Act 2020. Various members of the public and migrant workers who had been caught flouting this law, have been arrested, charged and most have been fined or errant migrant workers had work passes, revoked. Others , who posted on social media their activities that showed them breaking the law, were investigated and where appropriate, charged.

It is heartening, that yesterday ( April 28th) in Malaysia, two political leaders – the Deputy Health Minister and Perak’s executive council member – were both fined RM1,000 for violating Rule 6(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases ( Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 under Malaysia’s Movement Control Order that began on March 18th. They had said earlier, they were visiting a health clinic to check on Covid-19 preparations in the area, had adjourned for prayers and later a meal. The politicians, who apologised, and their supporters were charged as their services were not essential.

No one is baying for blood here. But there cannot be a silence. There has been no clarification or course of action from the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Home Affairs, The Attorney-General’s Office or the Prime Minister’s Office. If a wrong has been done, the law applies equally, to anyone and everyone. And if there is no wrong done, the explanations given by the MPs – as it has been with others who were arrested and charged – must either be officially accepted or rejected.

Braema Mathi
Secretary, MARUAH

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