By Shukry Rashid
The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) has responded to the Geylang fire incident that happened in the early hours of 3 April 2015 at 86A Lorong 6 Geylang, stating that it will do its best to ensure employers take full responsibility for their affected migrant workers.
MWC added that in the event where employers shun their responsibilities, it will then act as a safety net and take charge in caretaking for the affected migrant workers.
The fire claimed the lives of two Bangladeshi workers while two migrant workers sustained serious injuries.
The bodies of the two deceased have since been repatriated through the assistance of the employers.
Looking Out For Workers
MWC Executive Director Bernard Menon said that MWC has been there for the migrant workers from the start of the incident, sending its people to the ground, police station and hospital, and will continue being there for them.
Of the two migrant workers seriously injured from the incident, one of them has since been discharged from the hospital.
The migrant worker remaining in the hospital is still under observation, with the likelihood of a skin graft.
A Helping Hand
Moving forward, MWC is also in talks with the employers on an appropriate token of condolence for the next-of-kin of the deceased, and the injured migrant workers.
MWC plans to work closely with the hospitalised workers to find out their next move. MWC will facilitate the workers’ transition should they decide to continue working in Singapore or return to their respective countries.
Utmost Safety
In a media statement issued on the same day of the incident, MWC said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life from this incident.”
MWC also takes a very serious view of safe and secure housing for migrant workers, and urged authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable.
The cause of fire is still under investigation.
This is the second fire incident in the vicinity of Geylang affecting migrant workers in recent months. The last incident on 6 December 2014 took the lives of four Malaysian migrant workers and injured six others. MWC also rendered assistance on that occasion.
Source: NTUC This Week
