A photo of workers sitting at the back of the lorry with individual compartments is circulating online, after it first appeared in a Facebook post by one Raj Singh on May 13.

The post said "social distance is important" and that the use of screens or guards is not unusual.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made it a requirement for employers and lorry owners to cater for a 1-meter spacing between workers who are seated at the back of lorries, since Apr. 10.

This is to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Partitions dismissed as "stupid"

However, the post objected to this measure and said that the partitioned lorry in the photo "is stupid", and that the picture is "showing people exactly what they think of foreign workers- animals".

Lorry configuration criticised

One pointed out that these partitions may compromise the workers' safety, in the event of an accident.

Buses as an alternative?

Many suggested that buses could be used as an alternative solution, although the relative cost was brought up as a possible hindrance.

Some defended the practice

One user defended the lorry's configuration, citing various reasons, including the need to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Another user suggested that these partitions could have a use on public transport as well:

Should workers be on lorries at all?

A number of comments, however, rose above the fray to offer a broader perspective: that the Covid-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to revisit longstanding practices.

Details of lorry configuration

In the comments on the post, another user "Sam Sam", posted a four-minute video providing a detailed account of how the lorry was set up.

First, the cameraman, who is not captured in the footage, introduced the video, explaining that "we are doing some demo for this lorry arrangement lah".

The cameraman explained that the lorry has been fitted out with a "mock-up" based on a drawing from the "boss", regarding "our lorry, for how to segregate, do the partition work."

He said that the lorry has been fitted out with "a steel frame below", which is then "covered by plywood", so that the structure is "more strong, it's not shaking".

He then demonstrates how the "door" of each partition can be secured to the plywood base at fixed positions, using door bolts.

A total of 12 workers are then called upon to climb into the lorry, to demonstrate how it will be used to transport passengers.

As they entered their individual compartments, the cameraman says "then they will lock, so this one is not shaking", as the men secure the doors using the door bolts.

The men were then asked to get off the lorry.

The cameraman concluded the video, saying: "After everyone is unload from the lorry, we got two place here, so still we can take the material, for this side and this side. But the central partition is still there lah."

Changes expected after Covid-19

Some changes to the conditions for foreign workers in Singapore are to be expected in the future.

Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has said that there is "no question" on the need to improve conditions for foreign workers in dormitories, though the immediate priority remains the issue of containing Covid-19.

Top image screenshot from video by Sam Sam on Facebook