Heroic rescue: 7 Indians in Singapore pull woman from 3ft sinkhole; act opens debate on migrant workers' rights
Seven Indian migrant workers who rescued a woman from a car trapped in a sinkhole in Singapore last Saturday have been invited to meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana presidential palace, reports PTI.
The Singapore president's Office has extended an invitation to the workers to attend the Istana Open House on Sunday, August 3, along with other guests, as per Channel News Asia.
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"There will be opportunities for interaction between the guests, including the migrant workers, and the president during the Istana open house," said the president's office.
The seven migrant workers are site foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, 47, and his co-workers Velmurugan Muthusamy, 27, Poomalai Saravanan, 28, Ganesan Veerasekar, 32, Bose Ajithkumar, 26, Narayanasamy Mayakrishnan, 25, and Sathapillai Rajendran, 56.
The sinkhole had originally appeared along the Tanjong Katong Road South, along Singapore's east coast, next to a Public Utilities Board (PUB) worksite where a 16-metre-deep shaft is being built to connect three sewer lines.
A concrete component within the shaft 'failed' around 5.50 pm last Saturday and led to the formation of the sinkhole, causing the car to plunge into it.
Subbiah and his fellow workers acted swiftly, using a rope to rescue the woman within minutes.
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Their quick response has earned widespread praise, including recognition from President Tharman for their bravery.
"Bravo! Thanks to the migrant workers led by foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah. They moved quickly and with courage," Tharman said through a Facebook post.
The incident has led to the workers receiving praise from the Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Association, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group.
Each of the workers was awarded the ACE Coin, a "token of appreciation" given to migrant worker volunteers and partners who have made significant contributions to supporting and caring for the migrant worker community.
"I was scared, but every feeling [sic] was that this woman must be rescued first," Subbiah later told reporters, as per BBC.
The post, which has since gone viral on social media, has garnered praise but also raised concerns regarding the condition of the 'migrant' workers.
Singapore does not have a minimum wage for migrant workers, which, according to advocacy groups, means some earn as little as S$300 ($233) per month. Many live in overcrowded dormitories, typically located far from residential neighborhoods.
Migrant workers also reportedly face exploitation by their employers and recruitment agencies while they have to work excessively long hours and in poor living conditions, as per the BBC.
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