A cleaner working at MacPherson’s estate has been attacked by a member of the public.
In an Instagram post uploaded on 9 March, Member of Parliament (MP) for MacPherson Single Member Constituency (SMC) Ms Tin Pei Ling shared that a town council cleaner working in the estate has been attacked by a man.
Man who attacked cleaner likely to be intoxicated
The cleaner was punched by his assailant, who was likely to be intoxicated.
According to Ms Tin Pei Ling, the man had been harassing the cleaners. When asked to stop harassing the cleaners by one of the town council cleaners Babul, so that the cleaners can do their jobs, the man then decided to hunt down one of the other cleaners and punched him in the chest.
“The cleaners were just trying to do their job, and I don’t think they deserved to be attacked like that,” said Ms Tin Pei Ling.
Ms Tin Pei Ling also added that the victim later went to see a doctor and fortunately, he is feeling better now.
However, Ms Tin Pei Ling said that this issue should be given attention to, and that violence against any workers, regardless of if they are local or foreign, should not be condoned.
This incident, according to Ms Tin Pei Ling, has been handed over the police and an investigation will be carried out.
Ms Tin Pei Ling concluded the video asking everyone to treat each other with kindness and respect, because this is what makes us human.
You may watch the full video below:
View this post on Instagram
BATU issues a statement in response to the attack
Following the video posted by Ms Tin Pei Ling, the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU) also issued a statement in response to the attack.
In their Facebook post, the affiliated union of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) representing employees from Facilities Management & Cleaning Services, amongst the other industries, said that the cleaners, much like many other environmental services workers, are performing an important duty to ensure that our surroundings are clean and hygienic. And no matter the circumstances, it is simply not right to harm the cleaners in any way.
BATU also urges the authorities to show a clear signal that such behaviour should not and will not be tolerated so as to assure workers working in public areas that they can perform their work safely.
You may read BATU’s full post below:
BATU is appalled to learn from Member of Parliament Ms Tin Pei Ling that a conservancy cleaner in her constituency was assaulted by a member of the public. This unprovoked attacked happened when the cleaner was cleaning the estate. He was punched in the chest and company referred him to see a doctor.
Our cleaners, much like many other environmental services workers, are performing an important duty to ensure that our surroundings are clean and hygienic. And in the case of conservancy cleaners, part of their day-to-day work is to clean up after members of the public. It is without a doubt that their work is essential. Therefore, we remind members of the public to be considerate and respect the work that these cleaners do. No matter the circumstances, it is simply not right to harm our cleaners in any way.
BATU has long championed the welfare of our environmental services cleaners. In light of this incident, BATU urges the authorities to show a clear signal that such behaviour should not and will not be tolerated. This will give assurance to our workers working in public areas that they can perform their work safely.
Public sanitation workers in Town Councils are considered Public Service Workers (“PSWs”) under the Protection from Harassment (Public Service Worker) Order (“PSWO”), to provide enhanced protection for these workers against acts of abuse or harassment when they carry out their duties. The law recognises the importance of protecting public servants and PSWs from harassment because of the critical roles they play.
Under the Protection from Harassment Act (“POHA”), if the victim of harassment is a public servant or PSW who was performing his or her duty, the offender is liable for enhanced penalties of an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
This is not the first time our front line workers have been attacked by members of the public liao sia. Our bus captain kena attacked, security officers kena attacked, now cleaners also kena attacked. What is wrong with these people ah? Go and jiak sai lah. TMD. Enough liao hor.
