16 December 2022
- RSIS
- Publication
- External Publications
- Singapore: Migrant Workers, a Vulnerable Community during COVID-19
Singapore: Migrant Workers, a Vulnerable Community during COVID-19
Abstract
COVID-19 has highlighted the disproportionate impacts of the global pandemic on vulnerable communities. Singapore’s oversight of a key vulnerable group during its initial response – its migrant worker population – has led to it having the highest rate of COVID-19 cases (per million) in Southeast Asia. The impacts of COVID-19 on these lower-wage migrant workers includes an increase in discrimination, and an increased risk of exploitation. Although the government’s response to COVID-19 was swift and effective, it treats these migrant workers as risks to be mitigated for the protection of the broader community rather than as a vulnerable community in need of protection themselves. With COVID-19 exposing the gaps in the system with regard to Singapore’s treatment of migrant workers, it is clear that there needs to be a significant systemic shift in order to prevent similar crises in the future.
Abstract
COVID-19 has highlighted the disproportionate impacts of the global pandemic on vulnerable communities. Singapore’s oversight of a key vulnerable group during its initial response – its migrant worker population – has led to it having the highest rate of COVID-19 cases (per million) in Southeast Asia. The impacts of COVID-19 on these lower-wage migrant workers includes an increase in discrimination, and an increased risk of exploitation. Although the government’s response to COVID-19 was swift and effective, it treats these migrant workers as risks to be mitigated for the protection of the broader community rather than as a vulnerable community in need of protection themselves. With COVID-19 exposing the gaps in the system with regard to Singapore’s treatment of migrant workers, it is clear that there needs to be a significant systemic shift in order to prevent similar crises in the future.
