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SINGAPORE: The proposed configuration of partitions on a truck seen in a widely broadcast video is not “safe” and could “endanger” its occupants as well as other road users, the Ministry of Human Resources said ( MOM) and the Land Transportation Authority (LTA) on Thursday (May 14).
In response to CNA questions, authorities said they were aware of a video showing the installation of partitions in a truck, apparently as a way to separate foreign workers into individual compartments.
The video was part of a demonstration video and a proposal sent by the construction company to MOM on Tuesday for consultation, authorities said.
The video was taken in the construction company’s workshop, and the proposed partition configuration has not been put to use, MOM and LTA said.
In the video, workers are seen taking turns lowering a truck opening a partition.
“MOM and LTA have collectively assessed that any sudden movement while traveling on the roads could displace the partitions and endanger the occupants as well as other road users,” they said.
MOM contacted the company on Wednesday and “clarified with them that the proposed configuration of the partitions in the rear of the truck was not secure.”
“We have informed the company of our evaluation and have advised them to review their plan,” authorities said.
MOM said it has issued specific guidelines on its website for companies to abide by regarding safe distance during transport of workers.
The new rules mean that each truck can now carry fewer workers than before.
“We urge companies to contact the authorities to seek the necessary clarification on safe distancing measures for trucks,” authorities said.
Screenshot of an online video from Shin Kai Construction demonstrating how the back of a truck can be split to transport foreign workers for safe distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNATURE APOLOGIZED
The construction company behind the video apologized Thursday and said it was “shocked” by the amount of “interest in the video and comments from online netizens.”
The 1-minute clip was an internal demo video of the company’s “partitioned truck arrangement”, Shin Khai Construction said in a Facebook post.
“While some comments are encouraging, we regret to hear that the video may have portrayed the way we treat our workers inhumanely and carelessly. We wish to issue an apology for this,” he added.
With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the construction industry, the company said it was trying to find solutions, with the partitioned truck arrangement being one of them.
“Because we must comply with the safe spacing rules, our truck capacity was greatly reduced from 23 to 6 people, which will be of great concern to our built environment,” said Shin Kai Construction.
“They also advised us to make more trips to transport our workers if necessary,” he added.
The company said it hopes to propose its design to authorities to increase truck capacity to 12 people.
“This will help reduce worker wait time, delay at these events and other traffic problems.”
