The Outcasts of Singapore

Little attention is given to the underpaid migrant workers of Singapore who make up a quarter of the city’s population.

Reynolds Sandbox
The Reynolds Sandbox
4 min readMar 9, 2023

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While Singapore is seen as a rich nation little attention is given to its migrant workers who help build this city’s foundation. Photos By: Charlotte Italiano

Singapore is known for its incredible architecture, food scene, and strong economy. Its population is made up of three main ethnic groups Chinese, Malay, Indian, making it a very multicultural place. However, underneath a facade of being a developed, colorful nation are the underpaid migrant workers who help build this city’s foundation.

I have always believed Singapore was a country that prides itself on multiculturalism and a nation that celebrates all. Yet, after visiting Singapore four months ago, I discovered this isn’t exactly the case. Migrant workers are seen as outcasts of Singaporean society. They are looked down upon. Being a white Australian I was even warned by locals “to be careful” around them. I was shocked and it’s made me question, why isn’t this issue being talked more about.

Many of these foreign workers come from India, Thailand, and other Asia-Pacific countries. The majority are men who come from poor backgrounds and get promised a better life and wage. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, these workers make up a quarter of the city’s population. It is estimated that there are 1.3 million migrant workers in Singapore. Foreigners working 12 to 14 hours shifts in the construction industry,can get paid as little as 18 Singaporean dollars per day (about 13 US dollars).

With no prescribed minimum wage in Singapore, a migrant worker’s wage can increase and decrease depending on the market’s supply and demand.

Deepavali Festival is a day off for hard-working migrant workers. Photo: Charlotte Italiano

Poor Living Conditions and the Government’s Response

The majority of the workers pay rent to live in dormitories. Many of these dorms consist of bunk beds, have little privacy, and are often overcrowded. According to The Economist magazine, over 300,000 foreign workers live in such dorms in the island nation in southeast Asia.

After receiving feedback in August 2020, about construction companies which didn’t even arrange meals and rent for their foreign workers, the Ministry of Manpower reminded employers of the migrant workers’ rights to fair living conditions. “All companies need to continuously provide acceptable accommodation, medical treatment, food, and access to daily supplies,” the statement indicated.

There have been previous attempts to improve conditions. In 2018 a construction company called Keong Hong Construction Pte. Ltd. (“Keong Hong”), was fined over $352,000 for housing foreign workers in overcrowded living conditions.

When COVID-19 hit, the dorms had major outbreaks which led the media to rediscover the inhumane living conditions that the companies provided for these workers. According to Reuters journalist Rina Chandran, migrant workers accounted for more than 90% of Singapore’s 38-thousand COVID-19 cases in 2020.

Today migrant workers continuously battle for fair pay and better living conditions. In April, an Expanded Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA) is set to take effect with new regulations for all dorms that have seven and more beds in them (see graphic explaining these new requirements below).

Graphic by Charlotte Italiano.

Fighting Stereotypes

In 2019, a study done by the International Labor Organization and UN Women’s Organization found that positive attitudes toward migrant workers have declined over the last decade.

Between 41% to 68% believed migrant workers threatened their country’s culture and heritage.

They also found 52% to 83% of the respondents believed that crime rates had increased due to migrant workers.

These attitudes come despite a recent speech by Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, who vowed to “fight any party wedded to racism and xenophobia, and a small-minded vision of Singapore.”

Reynolds Sandbox Explainer by Charlotte Italiano

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Reynolds Sandbox
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