Manpower shortage exacerbated by barring of South Asian workers

Heavy burden: Piling machines are seen operating at a construction site in Singapore. The barring of workers from South Asia has added to the manpower shortage in Singapore’s construction industry. — AFP

SINGAPORE: A small army of about 380 construction workers should be hammering away as the luxury condominium Meyer House nears completion, but the shortfall in foreign labour has left the site with just 230 men on the job.

Shortages are just one of the challenges facing main contractor Unison Construction as it strives to get the 56-unit block finished.