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. 2020 Sep;77(9):634-636.
doi: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106626. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Migrant workers and COVID-19

David Koh  1   2
Affiliations

Migrant workers and COVID-19

David Koh. Occup Environ Med. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: Daily numbers of COVID-19 in Singapore from March to May 2020, the cause of a surge in cases in April and the national response were examined, and regulations on migrant worker accommodation studied.

Methods: Information was gathered from daily reports provided by the Ministry of Health, Singapore Statues online and a Ministerial statement given at a Parliament sitting on 4 May 2020.

Results: A marked escalation in the daily number of new COVID-19 cases was seen in early April 2020. The majority of cases occurred among an estimated 295 000 low-skilled migrant workers living in foreign worker dormitories. As of 6 May 2020, there were 17 758 confirmed COVID-19 cases among dormitory workers (88% of 20 198 nationally confirmed cases). One dormitory housing approximately 13 000 workers had 19.4% of residents infected. The national response included mobilising several government agencies and public volunteers. There was extensive testing of workers in dormitories, segregation of healthy and infected workers, and daily observation for fever and symptoms. Twenty-four dormitories were declared as 'isolation areas', with residents quarantined for 14 days. New housing, for example, vacant public housing flats, military camps, exhibition centres, floating hotels have been provided that will allow for appropriate social distancing.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted migrant workers as a vulnerable occupational group. Ideally, matters related to inadequate housing of vulnerable migrant workers need to be addressed before a pandemic.

Keywords: migrant workers; occupational health practice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of new cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Singapore, 1 March–5 May 2020 [Source: Ministry of Health].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. International Labour Organization International labour standards on migrant workers. Available: https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-l... [Accessed 17 Apr 2020].
    1. Minister of Manpower Ministerial statement delivered in Singapore Parliament on 4 May 2020. Available: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/parliament/videos/may/ministerial-s... [Accessed 7 May 2020].
    1. Ministry of Health Singapore COVID-19 local situation report archive. Available: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/situation-report[Accessed 7 May 2020].
    1. Ministry of Manpower Work permit for foreign worker. Available: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker [Accessed 7 May 2020].
    1. Singapore Statutes Online Foreign employee Dormitories Act 2015. Available: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/FEDA2015 [Accessed 7 May 2020].