Advocacy Groups Demand Government Action as Safety Concerns Persist
Migrant workers in Singapore have raised concerns over the continued use of lorries for worker transport, citing poor enforcement of safety laws and frequent injuries from unsecured cargo and driver fatigue. The Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) has reiterated calls for a complete ban, urging the government to provide a clear timeline for transitioning to safer transport options.
A March 19 report by HOME highlights the dangerous conditions faced by workers transported in lorries, based on focus groups with 34 migrant workers, including designated lorry drivers. Testimonies from workers and medical professionals reveal that poorly secured cargo often leads to severe injuries during sudden braking. One worker recounted an incident where a heavy object slid forward, crushing a fellow passenger, leaving him with lung and spinal injuries that prevent him from ever returning to manual labor.
Drivers Face Grueling Work Schedules
Under amended road traffic laws, lorry drivers must receive a minimum 30-minute break after six hours of work. However, workers interviewed by HOME reported that this rule is rarely enforced. “No such thing,” said one migrant worker, describing how drivers are pressured to rush between multiple job sites.
A lorry driver in the focus group shared his struggles with exhaustion, reporting that he often drives up to 14 hours a day.
“After 10, 12 hours of driving, my eyes hurt, my whole body is in pain. We have to use force to shift gears and stay focused on the road—it’s very difficult,” he explained.
HOME Calls for an End to Lorry Transport for Workers
Singapore currently prohibits the use of lorries for passenger transport, except when the employer owns or hires the vehicle. However, dorm operators are required under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA) to provide transport, making lorry transport the default option for many migrant workers.“Lorry transport is dangerous, and it cannot be made safe—not with helmets, not with safety belts, and certainly not by criminalizing drivers,” said HOME Executive Director Stephanie Chok during the report’s launch. The organization proposed a phased ban, recommending an 18-month transition for larger firms and a 36-month period for smaller businesses.
Government Faces Pressure to Provide Alternative Solutions
Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor acknowledged concerns but maintained in February 2025 that an outright ban is “neither practical nor viable” for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She warned that forcing companies to switch to buses could lead to business closures, job losses, and delays in major infrastructure projects like HDB housing, hospitals, and MRT lines.
To ease the transition, HOME has proposed a 12-month government subsidy to help companies shift to safer transport options, alongside an increase in foreign worker quotas for bus drivers. They also suggested repurposing decommissioned public buses, which remain operational for up to three additional years after retirement.
The Urgent Need for Change
Migrant worker safety advocates argue that cost concerns should not outweigh the need for safer transport. Singapore University of Social Sciences transport economist Walter Theseira stressed that developed nations do not use goods vehicles for human transport, adding that Singapore has the resources to implement safer alternatives.HOME continues to push for firm commitments from the government, emphasizing that migrant workers deserve transportation that prioritizes their safety, dignity, and well-being.
Sources: Mothership (2025), The Straits times (2025)
Keywords: Migrant Workers, Lorry Transport, Worker Safety, Singapore, Unsafe Transport, Government Policies
