Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Percentage of Lorries Used to Ferry Passengers in The Rear With Rain Covers Installed

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what percentage of lorries that are used to ferry persons in the rear decks are fitted with rain covers installed on the sides of the rear deck in addition to their roof shelters; and

b.     if this information is not currently available, whether the Ministry will start collecting and tracking this information.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran

1.     As shared with the Member in Parliament last month, many employers have installed rain covers, which complement the mandatory canopies, to better shelter their workers from inclement weather.

2.     We do not track the percentage of lorries ferrying workers in the rear decks which use rain covers. Such rain covers are detachable and can be easily installed or uninstalled. Hence, it is not practical or meaningful to collect or track such information.

3.     We will take the Member’s suggestion to require lorries ferrying persons in the rear deck to be fitted with rain covers into consideration, together with other suggestions that have been raised by various stakeholders, as part of our continuing efforts to safeguard the welfare of workers. In the meantime, we strongly encourage all employers to do their part, including rescheduling trips when there are heavy rains.