Teo Ser Luck draws online flak for foreign worker dormitory posting
Photo: Ministry of Manpower Facebook page
Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck has come under fire online over a photograph of him lying on a bed in a foreign worker dormitory.
The photograph was posted on the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Facebook page on 11 December, as part of an album called “MOS Teo Ser Luck’s visit to Dorms and a Recreation Centre”. Teo had visited the dormitories as part of an event to mark International Migrants Day.
The photo was accompanied by this caption: “Quite comfy! I learnt that some workers prefer to sleep without a mattress as they are used to it back in their home country. They find it more comfortable and cooler too!“
The caption was later edited.
Photo: Screenshot from Ministry of Manpower facebook page
Comments on the photo, which has been shared more than 700 times, were negative. But others like Godwin Tang defended Teo, saying, “Come on, he made the effort to go down and take a look and that’s what they told him. And he’s trying to get more feedback now, give him some credit.”
Photo: Screenshot from Ministry of Manpower facebook page
The top comment came from Ibrahim Khalil, which has garnered more than 1,000 likes. Ibrahim, who claimed to be a foreign worker based in Singapore, said, “Sir in our home we used to sleep at the mattress but here not for comfortable we r sleeping without mattress, it’s just coz of wether so hot in the room. One room 12 person but only 2 fan. Is it possible to sleep in a mattress with 2 fan only? Dormitory management never allow more than 2 fan in the room.
Anyway sir, we r happy to work in Singapore because we can work safely in Singapore as mom is giving us safe environment in our work place.
But we will more happy if we get more comfortable dormitory life.”
According to a BBC report, Teo denied making the comment. The report added that MOM said it would not be removing the post and had no further comment.
It’s the latest social media gaffe by Singapore politicians this year.
Last month, Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng sparked the hashtag #BaeyForParis - a parody of #PrayForParis - in the wake of the Paris attacks. He had posted a selfie with the Eiffetl Tower, which also resulted in numerous memes with the question ‘Where Is Baey?”
Photo: Screenshot from PixelGod Facebook page
In July, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin was widely criticised for a Facebook post where he suggested that some elderly cardboard collectors might be collecting cardboard as a form of exercise.
And in March, Teo - an avid athlete - was also mocked for a Facebook post where he named a workout after the late Lee Kuan Yew.
