New Rules for Worker Transport: Rain Covers and Safety Measures Starting 2023

New regulations aimed at improving the well-being of workers transported in lorries will take effect from January 1, 2023. These rules will require all lorries to have rain covers, and drivers who are also workers must rest for at least 30 minutes before transporting colleagues back to their dormitories to ensure safety.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced that rain covers must be installed in phases: for newly registered lorries starting in January 2023, in-use light lorries from July 2023, and in-use heavy lorries from January 2024. These waterproof tarps, with at least one transparent section, should be installed on the rear of lorries to protect workers from rain. Installation is expected to take one to two hours and cost between $200 to $700, depending on the lorry’s size.

Additionally, workers who double as drivers will need to take a rest break of at least 30 minutes if they have worked for more than six hours. Employers must also designate a “vehicle buddy” to check the driver’s condition and ensure alertness while driving.

However, a previously announced measure to install speed-management devices in lorries remains in development. Senior Minister of State for Transport, Dr. Amy Khor, said consultations with Traffic Police and industry experts are still ongoing to determine the effectiveness and availability of these devices.

While these measures are seen as practical steps, migrant worker advocacy groups argue they do not address the core issue of safety. They continue to push for workers to be transported in buses, as the open cargo decks of lorries are considered inherently unsafe.

Dr. Stephanie Chok of Transient Workers Count Too called the new rules “grossly inadequate,” stressing the need for a long-term solution involving safer transport options such as buses.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.