On 24th July 2023, The Straits Times reported that over 40 organisations and individuals requested the Government to prohibit the transportation of migrant workers in lorries, and to ensure all vehicles transporting workers have seats and seat belts. The request follows the injury of 37 workers in two lorry accidents earlier in July.

The organisations requested the Ministry of Transport remove a rule that allows workers to travel in lorries if they are employed by the vehicle owner or hirer.

When the Straits Times spoke with construction companies in 2021, they said the use of buses rather than lorries was not realistic, and would increases the costs per worker.

A later article, released by The Straits Times at the start of August 2023, stated employers are pushing back at the proposal, citing concerns about the knock-on effects of a the ban; business groups have written to the government in a joint statement.