Committee of Supply 2021 debate, Day 3: Melvin Yong on improving workplace safety

In Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 2), MP Melvin Yong expressed alarm over the high number of workplace fatalities in February 2021. He urged a review of penalties for workplace safety lapses, and suggested that developers be made to include a safety component in tender specifications, budgets and evaluations. He also asked that coverage under the Work Injury Compensation Act be extended to the self-employed or freelancers, who are often sub-contracted for major projects. Mr Yong also called for further efforts to improve mental well-being in the workplace.