Slavery of the poor
Writing on the labour movement’s blog on Wednesday (Feb 14), Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Member of Parliament Zainal Sapari, who is also assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said: “Trapped by the need to make a living for themselves and their families, these workers are prone to be shackled in servitude to the masters who control them, all because of the very limited jobs they can undertake given their age and skills. When the circumstances of being poor force you to ‘work till you die’, that means you have become beholden to those circumstances - a form of slavery in itself.”
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Zainal said his choice of words was partly meant to draw attention to the situation and raise public awareness. Reiterating the sense of helplessness felt by low-wage workers, he said: “Some of these workers, they don’t have much of a choice. You look at the cleaners, sometimes that is the only job which they can do… and because that is the only option they have, they unfortunately have to take what is given to them, they are not in any bargaining position.”
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Zainal said his choice of words was partly meant to draw attention to the situation and raise public awareness. Reiterating the sense of helplessness felt by low-wage workers, he said: “Some of these workers, they don’t have much of a choice. You look at the cleaners, sometimes that is the only job which they can do… and because that is the only option they have, they unfortunately have to take what is given to them, they are not in any bargaining position.”