Prime Minister Office Treat people equally
The earlier rounds of distribution of free face masks were confined to Singapore citizens. I do not know if permanent residents were included.

I find the logic to be bizarre. 

Why were the foreign workers and maids excluded? Does it mean that they do not need protection from the virus? Do we expect them to buy the face masks out of their meager earnings? Maybe their employers should be responsible for them?

I read now that there will be another round of distribution of free face masks, targeted now at foreign workers and maids. This must be a reaction to the rapid spread of the virus among the foreign workers living in dormitories. 

It would have been more efficient if the foreign workers and maids were included in the earlier rounds. In fact, nobody should be left out.

I have a bigger issue to address. I strongly disagree with the approach adopting by the government to differentiate the people living in Singapore into different categories and to treat them differently.

It would be better to treat everybody living in Singapore equally, as much as possible. This should apply to health care, transport, school fees, utilities and other cost of living. 

If the foreign workers are charged higher rates, the cost will have to be borne by their employers anyway. 

The only distinction should be the right to vote. 

I hope that our ministers realize the folly of their current practice. 

Tan Kin Lian

 

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