Safety or money first?

[SGMCF328]

It sadden me that these business owners are trying hard to avoid spending money on improving the safety of their workers, by painting a bad picture on the ban of using lorries to ferry workers.

I am willing to pay more and accommodate the slight inconvenience for the safety of these foreign workers, who take up shitty jobs shunned by Singaporean. What about you?

 

Singapore business groups warn of 'complexities', more traffic jams if firms banned from ferrying workers on back of lorries

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/complexities-traffic-jams-lorries-ferrying-workers-3669396

SINGAPORE: Any move to eliminate the transportation of workers on the backs of lorries for safety reasons involves "real, practical and operational complexities", a total of 25 business bodies said in a joint statement on Tuesday (Aug 1).

The business chambers and associations, covering a wide range of industries, were responding to a call on Jul 24 by various advocacy groups and others for a timeline on banning the practice.

That statement followed an accident in mid-July involving a lorry which appeared to be ferrying workers, with 26 men taken to three hospitals. This follows various accidents involving such lorries over the years.

The statement from the business community, including the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, released to the media, said: "In the process of transitioning to safer transportation modes for workers, it is essential to acknowledge that society must be ready to accept a change in the social compact."

One consequence of transporting workers more safely would be more traffic on the roads and greater commuter congestion, it added.

"The call for regulatory change to eliminate worker transport on lorries is a matter of great concern for us," added the bodies, which cover industries including construction, food manufacturing, marine and logistics.

On Jul 24, more than 40 groups, businesses and individuals put out a joint statement calling for the Government to provide a timeline of measures working towards banning the transportation of workers on lorries.

They included bodies advocating for foreign workers and other groups, a law firm, a music events firm, a mental health advocacy group and activists for a range of causes.

Speaking to TODAY last month, Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Louis Ng said that he supports the Jul 24 statement, and had at the July sitting of Parliament also reiterated his call for such a timeline ahead of a ban on the transportation of workers on the backs of lorries.

The business community's statement on Tuesday was addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Acting Minister of Transport Chee Hong Tat and Senior Minister of State Amy Khor.

The business groups said that the situation regarding safety in the transporting of workers had improved over the years but presents "real challenges that demand responsible and thoughtful engagement with various stakeholders".

"Over the years, since 2011, we have taken significant strides in enhancing transportation safety for our workers, including the latest requirements under the Road Traffic Act, by closely collaborating with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Home Affairs (the Traffic Police) and the relevant authorities.

"As a business community, we are proud to share that many of our larger companies have successfully transitioned, either fully or partially, away from transporting workers on the back of lorries."

The Road Traffic Act does not allow for passengers to be transported on the back of lorries, however it makes an exception for transporting workers employed by the vehicle's owner or if it is carrying someone injured in an emergency situation. 

The business groups' statement added that geographical constraints, limited infrastructure and economic realities that certain regions and industries face play a part in necessitating the widespread practice of transporting workers on lorries. 

"Regulatory changes have the potential to acutely affect industries that have historically relied on this practice, leading to potential delays in completing projects and risking the livelihoods of workers who depend on these industries for their employment."

It also stated that the associations are "resolutely committed" to working closely with the Government, relevant authorities, labour unions, and safety experts to develop a "well-considered strategy" to ensure the safety of its workers.

The statement ended by saying that the business groups appreciate the public's sense of urgency of addressing worker safety, and that they would "continue to navigate the complexities involved and actively seek innovative ways to enhance worker safety".

[Vinceng]

Transporting workers in buses will lead to higher operational cost which will be passed down to the end consumer. Accidents happen because drivers are reckless and drive beyond speed limit.

[RH1667]

it's the driver, and not simply the type of vehicle use for the travel. 

[PSP415]

I rather they make it mandatory to have any drivers go thru a stringent driving test and pass. 

Its the lack of driving skills, understanding local traffic rules and laws, even the inability to stop on red, slow down on amber. 

You can die in a bus as much as in a lorry. The ways to die is not limited to type of vehicle. 

May as well get a car for group of 4-5 workers. Oops. 

No F1 drivers pls but drivers with safety first mindset. Foreign worker-driver must go thru proper driving test, not conversion of any driving licence for such. 

Just my thoughts. I did not select either option cos its not well thought out choices. Its not lorry or bus. Its good safety conscious drivers vs idiotic and reckless drivers. These make the greatest difference. The lives of many are in the hands of one driver, not lorry or bus. 

Stay safe all 

Cheers 

Edited August 2, 2023 by PSP415

[Wt_know]

i believe the current option is the most "optimal" setting liao in terms of operational needs, business cost, convenience and support

ferrying worker behind lorry is not a major risk ... it's the DRIVER !

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Wt_know

[Lala81]

Lol.

We are having difficulty finding enough bus/passenger van drivers for even primary school children. School bus fees are few hundred dollars per kid... and the transport is only for 2 trips a day at off-peak periods. 

And people are talking about getting buses to ferry 4-5 digits worth of foreign workers to at least hundreds (if not few thousand) different work sites every single day. 😐

Might as well say give every construction company one free minibus. 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Lala81

[inlinesix]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:01 AM, Wt_know said:

i believe the current option is the most "optimal" setting liao in terms of operational needs, business cost, convenience and support

ferrying worker behind lorry is not a major risk ... it's the DRIVER ! BOSS

 

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Corrected for you.

Give realistic ETA rather than squeeze gao gao

[Wt_know]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:11 AM, inlinesix said:

Corrected for you.

Give realistic ETA rather than squeeze gao gao

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this is also true

but based on my knowledge, 9/10 lorry driver are also FW ie bangla or indian

they drive like their own country … yes sometime they need to chase time but most time is their “habit”

[Volvobrick]

  On 8/2/2023 at 1:47 AM, RH1667 said:

it's the driver, and not simply the type of vehicle use for the travel. 

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Yes that's the root cause. Make it for them to lose licence if they exceed 10km/h and impound vehicle if exceed 20km/h and everyone will guai guai adhere to the speed limits. 

But our politicians lack balls to tackle the problem. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Volvobrick

[inlinesix]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:19 AM, Volvobrick said:

Yes that's the root cause. Make it for them to lose licence if exceeding 10km/h and impound vehicle if exceeding 20km/h and everyone will guai guai adhere to the speed limits. 

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[Stratovarius]

I have to agree with using lorry despite our many conflicting traffic regulations like workers can sit on the back of lorry but car passengers have to put on seat belt.

I remember a few years ago there was a short period of time workers cannot take lorry and it caused a lot of unhappiness for the rest of the public transport commuters. And forget about bus or coach. We don't have enough. Lastly, biz is gonna get affected as it may take twice the amount of time to travel.

[Wt_know]

japan, korea, taiwan, angmoh countries ... they do not ferry foreign workers to site 

how do they do it? they also got many constructions and infra projects right?

the answer is ... they do not rely on cheap FW ...  

their limited foreign worker is almost assimilated and take public transport or live at site ...  

[Volvobrick]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:23 AM, Wt_know said:

japan, korea, taiwan, angmoh countries ... they do not ferry foreign workers to site 

how do they do it? they also got many constructions and infra projects right?

the answer is ... they do not rely on cheap FW ...  

their limited foreign worker is almost assimilated and take public transport or live at site ...  

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Last time FW here also lived on site. That makes sense. Just need to improve on the container accommodation.

[inlinesix]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:23 AM, Wt_know said:

japan, korea, taiwan, angmoh countries ... they do not ferry foreign workers to site 

how do they do it? they also got many constructions and infra projects right?

the answer is ... they do not rely on cheap FW ...  

their limited foreign worker is almost assimilated and take public transport or live at site ...  

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  On 8/2/2023 at 2:26 AM, Volvobrick said:

Last time FW here also lived on site. That makes sense. Just need to improve on the container accommodation.

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Residents will complain if stay on site.

That's why they stay until Serangoon Island.

 

[currypuff]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:17 AM, Wt_know said:

this is also true

but based on my knowledge, 9/10 lorry driver are also FW ie bangla or indian

they drive like their own country … yes sometime they need to chase time but most time is their “habit”

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I agree...they should go see how those big lorries drive at night along PIE from Corporation road to tuas. Totally ignore other road users and just speed all the way with workers sitting behind. 

[Benarsenal]

I think we need to relook at how we just treat our migrant workers in general overall.

Not just transport. Their accomodation, their welfare, all these we really need to seriously reflect whether we are doing the right thing and treating them fairly.

[Blueray]

main problem is lorry drivers have poor sense of safety.

[Kona_rider]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:45 AM, Benarsenal said:

I think we need to relook at how we just treat our migrant workers in general overall.

Not just transport. Their accomodation, their welfare, all these we really need to seriously reflect whether we are doing the right thing and treating them fairly.

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it's post-modern slavery...