'Not your grandfather's place': Man scolds migrant workers resting at Toa Payoh void deck, backlash ensues

A man in Singapore has been criticised online after he filmed himself scolding migrant workers for resting at a Toa Payoh void deck and posted the video on TikTok.

According to the TikTok, the man could be heard questioning if the migrant workers were allowed to sleep there.

The video which was posted on Oct. 16 showed several migrant workers resting at a public housing block void deck.

The workers were either eating or lying down on mats.

Scolded them

Shin Min Daily News reported that the video was filmed at 1:12pm on a Thursday.

In the video, a man could be heard clearing his throat before approaching several migrant workers.

The man then began to question the workers: "Who said you are allowed to smoke inside?"

After repeating that the workers were not allowed to smoke, the man went on to question if the workers were allowed to sleep at the void deck and if the town council had given them permission to do so.

When the migrant workers did not respond, the man said: "Here is not your grandfather's place, okay?"

He added that migrant workers sleeping at the void deck was "not nice".

@singaporeinfluenceviralBishan-Toa Payoh Town Council allowed contractor to sleep anyhow plus contractor no proper place to sleep or isit no house to stay or isit homeless?♬ original sound - Singapore Influence Viral News

Worker panicked

A migrant worker being filmed sat up after hearing the man's remarks.

He looked at the camera and appeared taken aback, but did not respond.

Online commenters expressed sympathy for the migrant workers and condemned the man's lack of empathy.

They questioned why the migrant workers could not rest when they had done nothing wrong.

Another comment directed at the man read: "Who gave you permission to kick them out? If you really can't stand it, why not pay for a hourly room for them to sleep in?"

On the ground

Shin Min reported that the video was filmed at Block 46 Toa Payoh Lorong 5.

Reporters who visited the block at around 3pm on Oct. 26 did not see migrant workers resting there.

They also found the ground floor of the block to be clean with no garbage visible.

A fourth-floor resident told Shin Min that she had recently seen migrant workers resting at the void deck.

They were only there in the morning and during their lunch break, which she found understandable.

She added: "I think it's convenient for them, so why not?"

Disappointing behaviour

In light of the incident, migrant workers aid organisations called on the public to show empathy.

This is because migrant workers spend long hours working under the scorching sun and occasionally need to lie down to rest.

ItsRainingRaincoats' founder Dipa Swaminathan told Shin Min that she was "disappointed" by the man's behaviour.

She said: "These migrant workers helped us build our flats and provided us with a roof over our heads. If they can’t rest there, where should they go?"

She pointed out that migrant workers are bound to suffer from back pain as they spend long periods of time doing physical work in hot weather.

This makes it reasonable for them to lie down and rest during their lunch break.

She added: "Why don’t we find them an eyesore when they are working? But once they are resting, some people think they are an eyesore to the city.

"We really need to remind ourselves all the time that these migrant workers have made great contributions to our society and we should treat them well."

Top photos via Singapore Influence Viral News/TikTok