'They are just resting': Tan Kin Lian draws flak over foreign worker comments
"I saw more than five foreign workers sleeping in the void deck of a HDB block. They look like homeless people," he said in a Facebook post.
"Maybe they are taking a rest during the afternoon break. They appear to be soundly asleep.
"Are we going to experience an increase of homeless people or crime? I hope not."
Many netizens seemed astounded by the former NTUC Income CEO's remarks about labourers who were resting during what appeared to be their lunch break.
"Hello Sir, do you know what time they awake to cook their meal before going to work. After working in the hot sun for hours, these workers need a break so they take a nap at the void deck. They are not homeless but just need a rest for their tired body," said Sally Chia on Facebook.
"You should know they are just resting," said Sandy Lee. "My wife regularly brings cold drinks and some snacks for them."
"They are working hard at construction sites nearby to build our homes. Tough backbreaking work no one wants to do. They go about their business quietly and do not cause disturbance, I feel we should leave them alone and let them have their rest," said Shane Lee.
Some were baffled by the connection between a resting foreign worker and homelessness or crime.
"He shd just leave them to rest instead of comparing foreign workers to homeless people. Dunno what's his point," said Redditor NutKrackerBoy
Few took Mr Tan's side, though Redditor LaughOverLife101 did offer an explanation for the post: "He raises the point that it may be 'unsightly', especially for non locals who think they are homeless when they are just resting."
It was left to Redditor gane5h2308 reference an episode involving migrant workers that remains fresh in the mind of Singaporeans: "These are the same people who selflessly saved the women from the (Tanjong Katong) sinkhole."
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