[ad_1]
Malaysia’s closure to stem the coronavirus outbreak in March saw many displaced workers in Singapore, most of whom had crossed the causeway daily to go to work.
Although many companies have organized accommodation for their workers (some even in hotels), a taxi driver has not been so lucky.
Facebook user Alvin Koh and his colleague had asked for a private rental vehicle on April 11 when they encountered a Trans-taxi driver.
As they boarded the taxi, the taxi driver began to tell them his story: He had been sleeping in the car since closing, claiming that his company had done little to help him.
“Your taxi company is doing nothing for your accommodation or anything other than giving up the taxi for a month,” Koh wrote.
Despite his best efforts to find a place to stay, the taxi driver said he had found the options “relatively expensive” and had to resort to sleeping in his taxi.
Although the driver is Singaporean, he lives in Johor Bahru, Koh added. While the reason for this was not mentioned, Koh speculated that the taxi driver has a family to feed and therefore made the decision to stay and continue working in Singapore.
Spending the night in the confines of his vehicle was not the only obstacle the taxi driver faced.
https://www.facebook.com/alvinaragonkoh/videos/pcb.2165910713554752/2165910476888109/?type=3&theater
In a video Koh shared, the driver talked about how he would go to casinos near Sentosa, or somewhere near Woodlands Checkpoint, to use the showers that are open to the public.
He too, like many other taxi drivers, is also afraid to eat inside the taxi. Instead, he would hide in a quiet place for fear of someone taking his picture and embarrassing him online for not eating in a suitable place.
As of April 11, the Ministry of Health has clarified that taxi drivers and food delivery drivers can eat in public spaces or in their vehicles if it is not practical for them to return home.
AsiaOne has contacted Trans-cab Services for comment.
