STAKEHOLDERS � MANAGEMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a continuous problem throughout the world as it has affected the economic and social structures in many of those countries. Beyond these issues, in Singapore, one of the most affected by the pandemic was the construction industry – partially due to the heavy reliance on migrant workers for construction work. When the number of migrant workers that had contracted the virus rose rapidly in the second quarter of 2020, many of the industry’s firms and the workers were affected. Three stakeholders have been identified as the main leaders in managing the migrant workers during this period. By exploring their response to the pandemic and in particular the management of the migrant workers, the research targets to identify the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders during the pandemic, identify factors that led to the exacerbation in migrant worker contraction numbers, and explore drivers and barriers that either enabled or hindered the management. In doing so, the paper aims to serve as a guide and measure in stakeholder management for future pandemics.

To achieve the objectives, extensive literature review was conducted along with 34 survey respondent and three interviews. Data analysis using various measurement tools was also utilised to verify and study the data. Scott’s Institutional Framework was also used as the core for understanding the impact of the drivers and barriers. Discussions of the significance in the respective roles and responsibilities and its influence were also theorised using the Situational Leadership and Path-Goal theories.