Committee of Supply 2023 debate, Day 4: Leon Perera on protection for migrant workers
Migrant workers are more vulnerable to unsafe workplace practices because of their limited bargaining power, said MP Leon Perera in Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 1). He urged the Government to make the playing field less uneven by allowing workers to transfer jobs without their employers’ consent in certain scenarios - for instance, if they provide evidence of unsafe work. Workers should also be empowered to call out unsafe practices by being assured of confidentiality and protection from dismissal. Mr Perera also said that under the Work Injury Compensation Act, designated insurers process all claims, making them “gatekeepers” determining which claims are valid before compensation is assessed. He said this creates a conflict of interest as insurers might be incentivised to deny validity. He asked if the Ministry of Manpower has reviewed the system of checks and balances and whether it will consider using an independent assessor. On the subject of good-quality food for migrant workers, Mr Perera suggested that every dormitory be equipped with cooking facilities for workers and that the Singapore Food Agency consider mandating that catered food be delivered in safe eating condition.
Migrant workers are more vulnerable to unsafe workplace practices because of their limited bargaining power, said MP Leon Perera in Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 1). He urged the Government to make the playing field less uneven by allowing workers to transfer jobs without their employers’ consent in certain scenarios - for instance, if they provide evidence of unsafe work. Workers should also be empowered to call out unsafe practices by being assured of confidentiality and protection from dismissal. Mr Perera also said that under the Work Injury Compensation Act, designated insurers process all claims, making them “gatekeepers” determining which claims are valid before compensation is assessed. He said this creates a conflict of interest as insurers might be incentivised to deny validity. He asked if the Ministry of Manpower has reviewed the system of checks and balances and whether it will consider using an independent assessor. On the subject of good-quality food for migrant workers, Mr Perera suggested that every dormitory be equipped with cooking facilities for workers and that the Singapore Food Agency consider mandating that catered food be delivered in safe eating condition.
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