Their test of faith

Their test of faith

By Ng Wei Kai, The Straits Times

Many Muslim foreign workers struggle to fast while coping with loneliness and heavy work during Ramadan

Until this year, construction worker Syedur Rahman Liton had yet to complete a Ramadan fast since arriving in Singapore seven years ago.

"The sun is too strong and it is very difficult to fast while working," said the 37-year-old, who hails from Bangladesh.

Although the practice of fasting from dawn to dusk is obligatory for Muslim adults during the holy month, the strenuous work and trying outdoor conditions make it difficult for migrant workers in the construction sector.

As of December last year, Singapore housed more than 315,500 foreign workers on construction work permits. A large number of these are from Bangladesh, where 86.6 per cent of the population are Muslim.

Some employers have taken steps to ease the difficulties faced by workers during Ramadan, which this year ended last Saturday.

For example, the construction firm Lendlease, which is overseeing work on the new Paya Lebar Quarter, a mixed-use development, has procedures in place to ensure that fasting workers are not overtaxed.

Supervisors conduct safety briefings every morning and fasting workers are tagged and assigned less strenuous activities out of the heat of the sun. But most work situations are not as ideal.