Youth Talk

For the last 10 days or so I’ve found myself waking up around 6am, courtesy of the maintenance works being carried out in our compound.

At least once a year, a group of labourers toil away for a fortnight, repainting, refurbishing and remodeling the numerous houses within Saar compounds and villas.

And, just like we do every year, my mother makes sure to offer the workers a platter of snacks and refreshments each day they work on our house.

It seemed like such a small gesture that we gave no special consideration towards it. After all, doing so seemed like a form of pure courtesy.

Just yesterday, however, one of the labourers approached my mother, and after sincerely thanking her, said ‘you’re the first person to do something like this for us.’

That statement alone shocked me … but worse was yet to come.

The man went on to describe how just the other day, while working at a rich family’s house, they were denied water.

It had been a very hot day and the poor men had been out all day, working to make this family’s house more comfortable.

When they politely asked for some water they were rudely rebuked, with a woman asking why they hadn’t ‘bothered to bring their own water’. 

Despite the family’s evident wealth, they were unwilling to provide a simple glass of water for 12 men.

What scared me the most was the harsh reality that this man’s testimony is reflective of thousands of migrant workers in this country.

There is no denying the truth: labour exploitation is a massive problem in what is otherwise an amazing country.

It chills me to the core to see young children blatantly disrespect and ridicule the Asian migrant workers, whether they are maids, drivers or shopkeepers.

This sense of inferiority has sadly been ingrained in the mindsets of many, to the point that some view it as acceptable to deny these workers of basic human rights. So, please, do not forget that this country would not be functioning without the sacrifices and efforts made by the labourers.

We wouldn’t have proper roads or infrastructure, there would be no one to mow gardens or wash dishes and no one to drive you from mall to mall.

It’s not enough to refrain from abusing them.

Give them the respect they need and deserve. Please.