Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about the recent spate of workplace deaths this year, calling is unacceptable, as a safety time-out was announced that will last for 2 weeks.
Here is what he said
Since the beginning of this year, 20 people have died at work, in accidents of one kind or another — 10 in April alone. This is far too many, and not acceptable.
The Singapore Ministry of Manpower, Workplace Safety and Health Council, NTUC Singapore, and industry partners have called for a safety time-out starting today, lasting for two weeks. Companies can focus attention on workplace safety, reinforce their safety processes, and deal promptly with safety issues raised by workers.
We have been working hard for years to prevent workplace accidents, especially deaths. We have made good progress. But with our economy reopening and activities ramping up, safety standards and practices seem to have slipped. Accident rates have gone up, and we have lost ground.
We must put this right. I call on everyone involved – employers, supervisors, and workers – to take safety at the workplace seriously. Lives are at stake. We have a responsibility to keep all our workers safe, whether they are local or foreign.
Let us ensure a safe workplace for all, so that all our workers can return home safely to their families. – LHL