Editorial: Shock will not resolve anything

The arraignment of a contractor who allegedly dumped his own migrant worker on the roadside, after he was badly injured doing his job, sparked shock and condemnation. But, in reality, this savage act comes as no surprise. It merely confirms the ruthlessness of a society which is prepared to exploit anyone and anything at the altar of money. It confirms the commodification of people, especially the more vulnerable we treat as “inferior beings”. But before the story of Jaiteh Lamin is destined to the history books and until we report the next “shocking” story, we should take an introspective look and understand how discrimination and racism have become institutionalised.  The exploitation of foreign workers has been around for several years, with many engaged illegally, paid below the minimum wage and given no access to basic social services. In other words, they are mere cogs in a wheel. We keep receiving reports of workers’ wages being denied completely or partially, together with occupational health and safety breaches, and people forced to work inhumane hours. Their unscrupulous employers feel they can get away with paying them a pittance and under the tax radar to such an...