今日，《新加坡眼》收到外籍勞工中心針對本次惹蘭都康事件所發出的文告。我們對該文告進行了簡單的翻譯，供大家參考：111
新加坡外籍勞工中心與海事工程雇員工會的工作人員于2021 年 10 月 15 日（上周五）訪問了西雅惹蘭都康宿舍。這次訪問的主要目的是爲了解決客工們于10月13日所提出的問題，並觀察客工的身心健康狀態是否良好。盡管前兩天有大量的客工被轉移至別的宿舍，而剩下的客工也有些還未下班，訪問組仍與近200位客工進行了交流。
餐飲的數量、口味偏好和時間性
根據我們當天的訪問，並沒有任何客工向我們反映飯菜變質，或有蟲的問題。當局也正在針對此事進行調查。不過，與我們交談的許多客工都向我們反映，在10月13日之前，宿舍管理方並沒有及時爲他們提供食物，盒飯的數量有時也存在問題。當局和雇主將采取新的措施，來解決這些問題。
在訪問中，有許多客工都向我們表示，希望飯菜能夠更符合他們的口味與飲食偏好。尤其是來自中國的客工們。由于中國的客工們都來自不同的省份，有著不同的飲食習慣，因此爲他們安排符合口味的飲食可能需要更長一點的時間。我們已向客工們解釋了這一點。我們也告訴他們，保證餐食的可口是雇主的責任，他們的雇主已經承諾將在這方面投入更多精力與資源，盡快制定出最佳解決方案。另外，我們也保證將繼續關注這方面的進展。
在談話中，我們也了解了中國客工所面臨的另一個問題。他們告訴我們，在10月13日之前，他們可以在網上購買比較符合口味的中國雜貨與食品，這些都是在客工宿舍的小超市內無法買到的。由于可以自行購買，他們便往往會購買更符合自己口味的食物。但在一周前，宿舍管理方開始拒絕他們接收快遞，導致他們再也無法購買這些食品。爲了解決這個問題，我們立刻向雇主與宿舍管理方反映，要求他們恢複這個渠道。
熱心人士的捐贈
對于所有向西雅惹蘭都康宿舍捐贈物資、散發愛心的善心人士與社會企業，外籍勞工中心再次獻上我們衷心的感謝。在直接與宿舍住戶接觸後，我們認爲目前的情況已經穩定了下來。工人們的問題都已得到了解決，或是正在解決中。如果大家未來還希望爲客工們捐款，可以在這個網址中捐款：https://www.giving.sg/mwaf
結論
雖然目前整個社會都在努力對抗疫情，但外籍勞工中心希望再次重申，這並不代表雇主們可以不顧客工們的身心健康與福祉。所有的雇主都應該盡最大努力滿足所有客工的需求，尤其是他們在這個充滿挑戰的時期，爲我們的社會與經濟做出了巨大的貢獻。
我們將繼續與 SMEEU、雇主、宿舍管理方及客工們合作，在未來幾天內繼續解決西雅惹蘭都康宿舍的問題。我們也將繼續觀察其他客工的情況，及時發現新的問題。另外，我們也會與人力部和任何利益相關者合作，提供及時並迅速的援助。在這方面，我們敦促所有有任何顧慮，或問題，或需要任何形式幫助的客工們不要猶豫，隨時通過我們的 24 小時幫助熱線 6536 2692 與我們聯系。
楊木光主席外籍勞工中心
英文原文
A team comprising staff from the MWC andthe Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union (SMEEU) was givenapproval by the authorities to conduct an engagement visit to Westlite JalanTukang Dormitory last Friday 15 Oct 2021. The visit was conducted for the teamto confirm that issues raised by residents on 13 Oct were being addressed, aswell as to check on the their physical and emotional state, and wherenecessary, to assist them to resolve any other lingering or new employment orwell-being related issues that they may have. Despite the fact that a largenumber of residents had been moved from the dormitory during the previous 2days, and many of the remaining residents had not returned from work at thetime of the visit, the team were still able to engage with nearly 200 migrantworkers (MWs) during the visit.
Delays in Transfers of Covid Cases
From our conversations with the MWs wespoke to, we were able to learn that most of their concerns regarding newlyimplemented Safe Management Measures (SMM) and Covid-19 testing and isolationprotocols had been resolved within a day after their plight was covered onlocal media (Oct 14). Up till the day before, we learnt there was some disorderover the rollout of new testing and isolation protocols, and together withlogistics and resource challenges faced with the transfer process to carefacilities, as well as an unexpected spike in infections among residents, therewere delays in moving Covid positive cases to off-site care and recoveryfacilities. The MWs confirmed that the authorities were promptly resolve thesituation by working with the dormitory operator and employers to rectify thedelays and bring order and stability back to the dormitory. They also told usthat since the improvements were made, the transfer process for Covid positivecases had become more timely, and they hoped that the smoother process wouldcontinue.
In our conversations with the workers, wealso detected that some amongst them did not understand the reasons andstrategy behind the new SMM, testing and isolation protocols, which might havecontributed to the confusion and disorder prior to 13 Oct. We have fed thisback to MOM and are working urgently with them to strengthen the communicationsand engagement, push out newly developed educational materials, in video andprint, and translated to the native languages, through our MWC AmbassadorNetwork (made up of senior MWs within the same workplaces and living places)and social media channels. Through the Ambassadors and our variouscommunication channels with MWs, including our 24-hour Helpline, we will alsobe monitoring the situation on the implementation of the new protocols and willsurface any other irregularities or delays immediately for MOM’s attention.111
Quantity, Preference, and Timeliness ofCatered Meals
From our engagement with the MWs during ourvisit, we were unable to meet anyone who claimed that the food was spoilt orcontained insects as circulated online. Nevertheless, we understand that theauthorities are still in the process of investigating into the matter. Whatmany of the MWs we spoke to did reflect to us, was that there were sometimesissues with the timeliness and quantity of the meals provided to them prior to13 Oct, and new controls put in by the authorities and employers ensured thatthese issues were rectified since then.11
In particular, we also heard from the MWswe spoke to that more could be done to suit the food catered to the tastes anddietary preferences of the workers, especially those from PRC China. As MWsfrom China have a wide range of dietary preferences based on where they arefrom, it can sometimes take time to reach the optimal catering arrangements forthem, and while we explained this to the workers, we told them categorically,that it is an endeavour that the employer must do right. We repeated to theChinese MWs that their employer had committed to put more attention andresources into working out the most optimal dietary preference solutions assoon as possible and reassured them that we too would continue to monitor theprogress of this aspect.11
Our conversations also raised an importantrelated aspect to food provision to the Chinese MWs. We were told that up untilthe week before 13 Oct, they had been able make online purchases of morefamiliar Chinese sundries, groceries and rations unobtainable from thedormitory’s on-site minimart, which would be delivered to them in thedormitory. As a result, many of them were able to self-help to supplement theircatered food with more familiar dietary options. The MWs explained that thesedeliveries to the dormitory were stopped a week earlier, ceasing this self-helpoption, and accentuating the less than optimal catering situation. As a meansto providing these MWs with quick and easy relief, we reflected to theemployers and dormitory management to restart the deliveries into thedormitory, and we understand that the dormitory residents appreciate the returnof this additional service111
Additional Concerns Raised
Our engagement also raised certain concernssome MWs had regarding the workplace environment. We recorded these concernsand together with SMEEU, fed them back to the employers so that steps may betaken to create a safer and more conducive work environment for allworkers. We understand that theemployers are implementing some measures in response to our feedback. As withthe other feedback we have given to the various stakeholders, we will alsocontinue to monitor these new measures, as well as the sentiment and conditionof the MWs in response.
Donations from Well-Wishers
MWC would like to thank all welfare andcorporate organisations that have stepped forward to donate sundries andprovisions to the MWs at Jalan Tukang Dormitory through our coordination, aswell as members of the public for their care and concern for this group of MWs.Having visited the dormitory to observe the mood and situation amongst theresidents, as well as engage with them directly, we can update that thesituation has been stabilised, with the key concerns of the workers having alsobeen addressed or in the process of being rectified. Well-wishers who wishstill to contribute towards the supporting needy or distressed migrant workersin general, are invited to continue doing so via the following link onGiving.sg – https://www.giving.sg/mwaf.11
Conclusion
While our entire community continues tocope with the fluid situation in response to the pandemic in our daily routinesand at work, the MWC wishes to reiterate that the care, well-being and dignitywe afford to all MWs should not be allowed to be comprised. We would like toremind all stakeholders that they should give their utmost attention to lookingafter the needs of all MWs, especially since they play a critical role inhelping our community and economy through this challenging period. We willcontinue to work with SMEEU, employers, the dormitory operator and the MWs tocontinue to resolve any lingering issues at Jalan Tukang Dormitory in thecoming days. We will also continue our sensing and monitoring effort on theground for emerging issues amongst other MW communities, and work with MOM andstakeholders to provide prompt and responsive assistance. In this regard, weurge all MWs who have any concerns or issues, or who require any kind ofassistance, to not hesitate, and reach out to us via our 24-hour helpline at6536 2692.1
Yeo Guat Kwang
Chairman
Migrant Workers’ Centre