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Online petition calls for protection of migrant workers from COVID-19
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An online petition titled, ‘Protect our migrant workers from Covid-19’ — created by Kokila Annamalai, a community researcher of Massey University — calls for the government to develop a comprehensive list of measures to address the issue regarding wellbeing of migrant workers in Singapore following the new COVID-19 cluster at foreign workers’ dormitories.
The petition which is meant to deliver to Minister of Manpower (MOM) Josephine Teo, has raised the concern of the migrant workers who may expose to the high risk of COVID-19 transmission as well as their cramped and unsanitary living conditions that has been reported recently.
It was due to the recent media coverage of bad conditions of the workers’ living places after government first gazetted two foreign workers’ dormitories — the S11 Dormitory @ Punggol and Westlite Toh Guan on Sunday and subsequently Toh Guan Dormitory on Monday due to being listed as COVID-19 clusters.
At the time of writing, the petition garnered over 4,500 signatures with the number of petition signatures continuing to climb.
Noting the overcrowded situation in the current workers’ dormitory set-ups and how workers being transported in cramped lorries, Ms Annamalai said that it is impossible to carry out safe distancing measures which have been reaffirmed by government as “the most important measure” against COVID-19 transmission.
When the environment of worker’s dormitory is reported unsanitary and very poorly-ventilated, she remarked that it is “unacceptable in regular times and calamity during a public health emergency” while urging MOM to fulfill its promise promptly on enhancing cleaning efforts at all dormitories.
During the isolation period, workers are not allowed to leave their dormitories even to get food. However, Ms Annamalai noted that there are workers did not receive their meals on time
While the workers are not allowed to leave their dormitories during the isolation period, Ms Annamalai noted that there are workers did not receive their meals on time and some employers or others have been prevented to deliver food and other items to the isolated workers.
On top of this, these communities also faced insufficient supplies of masks, sanitisers and other essential items meanwhile they are not guaranteed subsidised treatment at Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) or polyclinics in Singapore if they are unwell, says Ms Annamalai.
Concerning that these work pass holders may struggle for livelihood, she said, “The work and visa status of workers who haven’t been allowed to return to Singapore are unclear. Will they be paid their wages? Will they still have jobs? When can they return? Conversely, there are concerns about workers who have been laid off but are unable to leave Singapore — how will they be taken care of?”
As a result of isolation, the foreign workers may also face stress and tensions or “feel akin to sitting ducks trapped in a ticking time bomb” due to the lack access of accurate information as well as “hostility” and “stigma” treatment from security personnel or dormitory staff.
Aside from the gazetted dormitories, Ms Annamalai also pointed out that there are no any measures to care and protect migrant workers who live outside of purpose-built dormitories such as those who rent shared spaces in Geylang and Little India.
A broader and more holistic response for foreign workers’ issues
In response to government’s precautions which seems focused only on two dormitories, Ms Annamalai asked for a broader and more holistic response to the related issue.
Due to the high probability of asymptomatic spreads, she suggested a “repeated and large-scale testing” to be carried out for all isolated workers and other dorms to ensure effective containment of COVID-19 based on the advice from public health experts.
So as to ensure safe distancing measure being exercise in the dormitories, she suggested government to slash down the ratios of workers to rooms and toilets drastically while improving their living spaces to be well-ventilated through the creative and feasible suggestions which have been put forward.
Instead of lorries, the workers should be transported by bus to work for safe distancing.
For workers who have developed flu-like symptoms, they are expected to receive free healthcare at PHPCs and polyclinics as well as free mental health counselling in their first language if they want it.
In addition, government need to ensure a timely, reliable and empathetic communication with all workers on their quarantine and healthcare arrangements, work or pay issues and visa status in their native languages as well as the ability of workers to stay connected with their families with wifi access within their rooms.
Ms Annamalai suggested government to set up an accessible channel of COVID-19-related issues for the workers to call in and have handled their problems in their first languages.
She added, “There should be clear assurances that complainants will be protected. These should be channels that the public can view and hold MOM to account on.”
Touching on the $100 daily quarantine allowance given to the workers, Ms Annamalai proposed to extend the allowance to all non-essential workers if they are unable to work during the circuit-breaker period.
“Workers’ jobs and wages will be protected regardless of disruptions to their ability to work caused by Covid-19 whether due to illness, quarantine, work closures, re-entry restrictions, or other reasons,” she said.
As part of safety measures, “On-site medical care should be available at all dormitories, not just the ones under lockdown,” said Ms Annamalai, noting, “This should include access to effective face masks, sanitisers, personal protective equipment at work.”
Taking on the costs of relocating workers to reduce density and of mass-testing is our moral duty
In order to ensure transparency and accountability of these measures, Ms Annamalai said the effectiveness of measures should be accessed through the observation, evaluation and report on the progress in affected areas by journalists and independent experts while monitoring by the public.
She said, “Taking on the costs of relocating workers to reduce density, and of mass-testing, is our moral duty, and they will also help prevent the costs of providing hospital and ICU care for thousands of Covid-19 infected workers.”
With the resources and capacity of Singapore to deal with the pandemic, Ms Annamalai stressed, “When we finally emerge from this crisis—as we surely will—it is vital that we are able to say, with a clear conscience, that we tried our very best to protect everyone who lived and worked in this country, and trusted us with their wellbeing.”
“Given the urgency of these matters, we hope for a response from Minister Josephine Teo and the multi-agency taskforce for COVID-19 to our stated concerns, as soon as possible,” she added.
To sign the petition, please visit this link. ‘Protect our migrant workers from Covid-19’
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Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues
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SINGAPORE: The Gaia building at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which opened in May 2023 as Asia’s largest wooden structure, was initially celebrated for its sustainable design and architectural beauty.
However, just over a year later, the S$125 million (US$95.5 million) timber building is facing an unexpected challenge: mould growth.
The 450,000-square-foot Gaia building, constructed with sustainable timber beams and panels, has developed mould on its walls, raising concerns about the suitability of timber for large-scale construction in tropical climates like Singapore’s.
The mould issue highlights the global challenges that timber structures can face, especially in environments with high humidity.
According to Bloomberg, the mould problem at Gaia underscores the difficulties that timber buildings encounter worldwide.
The Gaia building’s timber supplier claims that the structure sequesters over 5,000 tons of CO2, even when accounting for shipping, as trees absorb carbon dioxide during growth.
However, Singapore’s tropical climate, with its high humidity and frequent rainfall, has revealed the limitations of using timber in such environments.
The wood used in Gaia, primarily Austrian spruce processed into mass-engineered timber, is less resistant to mould compared to other species.
In Singapore’s humid conditions, untreated spruce is particularly vulnerable to mould and rot, according to Andrew Wong of the International Wood Culture Society.
Erik L’Heureux, an associate professor of architecture at the National University of Singapore, emphasized that different climates present unique challenges for timber construction.
He noted that in tropical regions, special care is required to prevent issues like mould, while in other climates, such as deserts or freezing environments, timber faces other risks like cracking and splitting.
Singapore has used mass-engineered timber in over 20 projects in the past decade, but it remains unclear if other buildings are experiencing similar issues.
In contrast, Singapore’s colonial shophouses, built with regionally native hardwoods, are naturally resistant to mould.
However, sourcing these traditional hardwoods today is both difficult and costly.
Loh Kee Soon, the lead architect for Gaia at RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, explained that while thicker protective coatings could have mitigated some of the mould issues, his team opted against it due to cost concerns and a desire to showcase the natural wood grain.
Despite its aesthetic appeal, the presence of mould has raised health concerns among staff and students.
While the mould is not expected to affect the building’s structural integrity, NTU has implemented a comprehensive maintenance plan, which includes reapplying sealant to the timber, adjusting air-conditioning settings, and instructing staff to keep windows closed to reduce condensation.
Experts also recommend treating surfaces with bleach, applying thicker coatings, installing dehumidifiers, and running the air-conditioning continuously, although these measures could undermine the building’s sustainability.
Netizens question sustainability of NTU’s Gaia building amid mould concerns
Under Mothership’s Facebook post, netizens have expressed various concerns regarding the mould issue at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Gaia building.
One user questioned whether continuing to use the building is worth it, given the upcoming maintenance and potential health risks to staff and students.
They suggested that if maintenance is not feasible, it might be better to endure a one-time inconvenience of demolition rather than face ongoing issues.
One commenter questioned the logic of using wood in Singapore’s hot and humid climate, suggesting that protective coatings should have been applied to prevent mould.
They pointed out that NTU should have had the resources to implement such measures.
Another netizen proposed that demolishing the building and replacing it with a concrete structure might be a better long-term solution than continually dealing with mould.
Netizens raise concerns over material choices for NTU’s Gaia building
Several netizens focused on the choice of wood for the building, criticizing the decision to use Austrian spruce instead of locally sourced tropical wood that is more resistant to humidity.
One commenter pointed out that using wood from Austria hardly seems sustainable or environmentally friendly when considering the carbon footprint.
Another suggested that the building should have used hardwoods like teak, ebony, or mahogany, which are more resistant to termites and mould.
Further criticism focused on the project’s planning, with some questioning why wood from a cool climate was used in Singapore’s tropical environment.
They speculated that the original committee might have prioritized reducing construction costs, leaving the current management to deal with the consequences.
One commenter expressed disbelief that the project proceeded with wood susceptible to mould, despite the availability of more suitable materials like teak and cedar.
They criticized the $125 million price tag, suggesting it reflects a “lowest cost wins” mentality that overlooks potential long-term costs.
One netizen also raised doubts about the building’s sustainability, questioning whether the cost of treating and preventing mould might become exorbitant over time and ultimately undermine the building’s sustainability claims.
The post Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues appeared first on Gutzy Asia.
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Malaysian burger vendor duped by repeat scammer: Calls for safer payment protocols
In a viral TikTok video, an Ampang burger vendor recounts how he fell victim to a scam, losing nearly RM100. This incident sheds light on a notorious scammer’s modus operandi, prompting calls for improved payment procedures in the local food scene.
MALAYSIA: A roadside burger vendor in Ampang, Selangor, fell victim to a scam, losing nearly RM100 (US$21.3) in the process.
Taking to his TikTok account “mohdazroyampang” on Wednesday (20 Sep), the burger vendor shared his ordeal, and the video quickly went viral, garnering over 218 thousand views.
@mohdazroyampang Dengan rendah diri aku halal kan makanan yang kau ambil, semoga ada rezeki untuk aku pada masa2 akan datang amin #crispybitesburger #burgerayamcrispy #chickencrispyburger #scammers
According to Azroy, the incident transpired at approximately 08.30 pm (local time). A middle-aged woman and a young man, seemingly a mother-son duo, arrived at his stall riding an electric scooter.
They placed an order for two triple-crusted chicken burgers, a double venison special, and a double meat special but requested to collect the food later due to a sudden influx of customers.
True to their word, the duo returned to claim their order and inquired about the total cost. They also mentioned their intention to place another order based on the receipt.
The initial order cost RM48 (US$10.20), which the son promptly paid and left on his motorcycle.
Subsequently, the mother asked Azroy to prepare another meal, bringing the total to RM96 (US$20.5).
Then, as she pretended to scan the QR code, she suddenly claimed to be short on credit and needed to return home for money.
Seizing this opportunity, they both abruptly left the stall, taking the first set of burgers with them.
Azroy shared that they waited until closing time, but the duo never returned.
He expressed relief that his wife had stopped him from making the second order, thus preventing further financial loss.
In the video, Azroy went on to reveal that the individual involved was a notorious scammer in Ampang, with several other food vendors falling prey to the same modus operandi.
A fellow seller in the comments section confirmed that they almost had been scammed by the same individual.
Many viewers expressed sympathy for the burger seller and called for improved payment procedures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
One commenter suggested that, moving forward, the seller should request payment upfront before allowing customers to leave with their food.
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