The following letter, published in the New Paper on 3 September 2010, was a response to the article 'His life was in my trembling hands'(The New Paper, Aug 31).
Workers face many challenges
September 03, 2010
I'D LIKE to highlight that the problems and experiences encountered by many of Chinese construction workers are very real.
Apart from long working hours, they also have to endure sub-standard living conditions and poor quality meals.
Workers who lodge complaints and attempt to bargain for better treatment may be unfairly dismissed by their employers.
In such a situation, the workers have little choice but to be repatriated.
A migrant worker comes to Singapore with a debt to re-pay and heavy family responsibilities.
The stresses caused by working and living in an unfamiliar environment and culture is further compounded by this reality.
This incident highlights the need to take the socio-emotional well-being of migrant workers seriously and to offer more social support services for them.
JOLOVAN WHAM,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION ECONOMICS (HOME)
