Anonymous army

And as Singapore ranks third on the WEF Global Competitiveness Report 09/10, I found myself neither rejoicing about the current economic stability of the country nor acclaiming how far we've come since independence. Instead, I was thinking foreign workers.

There are more than half a million lower-skilled foreign workers predominantly in the construction industry, domestic services as well as the service, manufacturing and marine industries. The highly controversial social issues aside, I found myself wondering about the exploitation of foreign workers. Much talk have been made to improve the accommodation and living conditions of the foreign workers in Singapore, ranging from the area one can take up in a lorry to safe and hygienic dormitories. At the end of the day, new guidelines may be drafted over and over but I couldn't help but wonder how much of these guidelines have been followed over the years.

Of course, I'm absolutely guilty for harbouring unkind thoughts at those whom I secretly suspect are up to no good at times, but I cannot deny the fact that these are the very group of people who help build my city, literally. I recall known episodes of public outbursts against Mandarin-only-speaking foreign workers at a food court in the city's south or the petition against the proposed construction of dormitories to house foreign construction workers in a quiet northeastern neighbourhood. Overlooking doubtful minimum wages issues, I reckon the list goes long on...

While I believe this is not a Singapore-only issue, I'm not totally convinced things will change for the better some day, where there will be no exploitation in whatsoever way one can possibly think of.