I was tearing when I was in the MRT yesterday. I saw 2 Bangladeshis in the MRT. One of them (the younger one) looks like he's ard my brother's age. He has and his friend has a huge bag each and he has a paperbag. There was a man with them, some kind of manager, I believe. The younger guy looks pretty nervous and out of place and he kept turning his head to look at the surroundings. I believe this may be his first time in S'pore. At one point of time, the manager was like asking the guys for money. I didnt actually hear him asking for money but I saw them handing some $2 notes to him. I believe it could be for the MRT ride or something. The manager was pretty rude to them and was not helping them to carry the bags.
I somehow had to put myself in the shoes of the younger one although it may not be exactly what he is experiencing. Imagine if you are 21 and you come from a poor family. And one fine day, you have news that you have a job in sunny, prosperous and modern Singapore. It's a place that you have dreamt of going to because most of the ppl you know said that it's a good place to make money. You are so excited and happy. You packed your bags, bid your loved ones farewell and head to Singapore with only $200 or so (which your later discovered is considered a small amt in Singapore). It's your first time in a plane and your first time overseas. You are so looking forward to your new, seemingly bright future and you cant help but think of all the things you can send to your loved ones esp. your old,working parents and siblings. Your dream is to send money to them so that your siblings will be able to go to school and have a brighter future. When you reach Singapore, you were greeted with an Indian as well. However, he treats you with minimal politeness. You expected more warmth but you guess he is just tired or something. He brought you to the train station which is so so modern. You sit there beside him and another new worker. The other local commuters gave you dirty looks and sit far far away from you. You really dont know what you did wrong so you look around instead and try as best as you can to avoid the rude stares of the ppl. You reach your destination and was very impress that it took such a short time. You were brought to a room already occupied by 5 other workers. It was crammed and all you have to sleep on is a lumpy and uncomfortable mattress. But you somehow manage to console yourself as you know that this is still better than the condition back home. You sleep and dream of your family back home. The next morning, you were woken up very early. It is your first day of your job and you are very excited. You reached your worksite and discovered that what you have to do is real hard labour. You are a construction worker for a co. You know it's hard work but you have come all the way to Singapore to work anyway so work you will. You know that you are doing this for your loved ones. Nevermind the hot sun or the cruel and rude employers. At least you have great new colleagues. Weeks pass and you realized that ppl in Singapore look down on ppl like you. The women glare at you whenever they catch you looking at them. All these Singaporeans have a name for you and your mates, Banglas. Some of the ppl even close their noses when you stand beside them. But most of the ppl treat you like as though you are stupid (although you are one of the smartest boy in your village) and dirty. People avoid you and some even stand up when you sit beside them. You feel horribly homesick. You wish you are in your village where you are welcome. Then, payday came and despite all everything, you are so happy. You can remit part of your pay back home for your parents and siblings so that they can have a more comfortable life. Nevermind that you have very little for yourself. Nevermind that you dont get to eat luxurious food like the Singaporeans. Nevermind that you are treated like dirt. You are happy as long as you know your family back home is happy. Now they can live a more comfortable life.
Can you feel it? Can you understd why I was crying yesterday? The guy was abt my brother's age and I cant imagine my brother having to go through all that. I think it's high time all these foreign workers get some respect. I also feel that they shd be paid more for the work they do. Not the peanuts (This is what we call peanuts. What that former NKF CEO earn was certainly not peanuts!!!) that they earn. They are the ones doing all the hard labour for our country. Without them, the construction companies will prolly have a hard time finding workers. Who are going to do all the hard labour on the (construction of) HDB flats, shopping centres, MRT stations etc then? Singaporeans? Of course not.
~your smile made the difference~
--9/21/2005 02:54:00 PM--
