Conveying Enhanced Heat Stress Management Measures to Foreign Outdoor Workers
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Ministry of Manpower can communicate enhanced heat stress measures directly to foreign workers in their native languages, as raised by Ms Hazel Poa. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng stated that information is shared via the FWMOMCare application, social media, and the "Connect with ACE" e-newsletter. The FWMOMCare app is available in six languages and has disseminated bite-sized information and pictograms on heat stress management. These direct channels complement requirements for companies to educate workers on preventive measures like hydration, shade, and recognizing illness symptoms. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng added that the Ministry will continue providing reminders to workers and employers before hotter seasons.
Transcript
44 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Manpower in view of the enhanced measures to reduce heat stress for outdoor workers (a) whether the Ministry has avenues to directly convey these enhanced measures to foreign outdoor workers; and (b) if so, whether communication can be done in their respective native languages.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council disseminate information to migrant workers regularly through various communication channels, such as the FWMOMCare application, TikTok, Facebook and "Connect with ACE", which is an e-newsletter for migrant workers.
The FWMOMCare application is available in six languages, namely, English, Mandarin, Bengali, Tamil, Thai and Vietnamese, and all migrant workers are asked to download it during the Settling-in Programme. Bite-sized information and simple pictograms on heat stress management in migrant workers' native languages were disseminated via the FWMOMCare Application earlier in May. Heat stress-related information was also published in the June 2023 issue of "Connect with ACE".
These direct communications channels complement education efforts by employers. As part of the enhanced heat stress measures to reduce heat stress risks for outdoor workers, companies are required to educate their workers on preventive measures to take when working outdoors, such as hydrating regularly, resting under the shade and recognising early signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
MOM and WSH Council will continue to send heat stress-related information and reminders to workers and companies ahead of the hotter seasons.