AdvertisementSingaporeThis Week in AsiaHealth & EnvironmentSingapore’s ban on caged lorries revives debate over migrant worker transport
The government says the move improves workers’ safety, but advocacy groups say the wider transport risks remain
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Kolette LimSingapore is moving to ban caged lorries used to transport migrant workers in a bid to reduce safety risks in emergencies, but activists say the change does not address the wider dangers of ferrying workers in such vehicles.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said that caged lorry decks posed “additional safety risks” to passengers sitting in the rear.
“For example, if a lorry with a caged door that is locked or latched from the outside is involved in an accident or a fire, workers may not be able to escape,” Sun said in Parliament when announcing the measure on Wednesday.
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The Transport Ministry and Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the ban, which will take effect next year, is part of the government’s “continuous efforts to enhance the safety of worker transportation”.
About 1 to 2 per cent of Singapore’s roughly 50,000 lorries have caged decks, according to the LTA.
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Those who wish to continue using such vehicles to ferry workers or equipment could convert the rear deck to incorporate a canopy and side railings, the agencies said in a statement.
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