The Free and Contract Labourers

As discussed in class, the free labourer is able to pay for his own passage to Singapore. As such, he is free from all obligations to any coolie-agent or employer. He is thus free to seek employment from anyone who is willing to employment him. That allows him the freedom of choice and since he is not bound to any contract, he is not controlled by the coolie-agent. As such, he is not susceptible to the abuses of these coolie-agents.

In contrast, the contract labourer will have to sign a contract promising to work for anyone who is willing to pay for his passage. That means he has no freedom of choice for jobs and he is obligated to work for anyone even if the employer is from other countries. In addition, the coolie-agent is responsible for the coolies from the time they leave China to the time they reach Singapore. Very commonly, the coolies are subjected to the abuses of these agents. For example, poor conditions onboard the ships and deplorable living conditions in warehouses when they arrive.

Samle Answer

Source A is useful in showing some information about the life of a coolie. From Source A, the coolie was sold as a ‘little pig’ and he did not know where he was taken (evidence). This implies that he might have been a contract labourer and he was uncertain about his destination (conclusion) Hence life for this coolie could have been very miserable and controlled. (explanation)

In addition, source A shows that the ‘towkays’ threatened and beat the coolies (evidence). This suggests that the coolies were probably abused constantly by their supervisors (conclusion) Therefore life could have been very harsh for this coolie (explanation with reference to the question focus.

However the source has its limitations. While showing the account of one coolie, it did not show the lives of other CHINESE coolies. For example, the other Chinese immigrants could have been engaged in jobs like traders and middlemen who probably prospered with their business. Hence life for them could have been better.

In addition, the source did not show other races like the Europeans, Malays and Indians who were engaged in occupations like chettiars, craftsmen and hawkers who probably led a less restricted life as they might not be abused.

Finally, the source shows the coolie who seemed to be a contract labourer as he could be ‘SOLD’. Source did not show the lives of the FREE labourers who could have paid for their own passage and thus free to choose their own jobs. Hence life for them could have been much more pleasant and unrestricted as compared to the contract labourer.

Source-based Practice

Source A

The experiences of a coolie who first arrived in Singapore in the mid-19^th Century

We came on shore and I was sold as a ‘little pig’. This morning I was taken to a boat with others but I didn’t know where they were taking us to. But we heard that the place is 11 or 12 days’ sail from this place, and that we had to work in tin-mines. Of course we refused to go to another country, as we had understood Singapore to be our destination, and I can’t work as a miner. On our way to the boat we refused to proceed, so the towkays (supervisors) threatened and beat us.

Adapted from Travellers’ Tales of Old Singapore

1. Study Source A. How useful is the source in showing the lives of the immigrants after they arrived in early Singapore? Explain your answer. (6m)

Sample Answer for Source-based Question

1) Study Source A. How useful is Source A in showing the contributions of the early immigrants in Singapore? Explain your answer. (5m)

Source A is useful in showing the contributions of the early immigrants. From the source, coolies provided labour services in loading and unloading coal. (evidence) This suggests that the coolies played a very important role in early Singapore as they helped to ensure that trade could be conducted efficiently.

In addition, from the source, the Chinese coolies were seen to be loading/ unloading coal onto a steamship. This suggests that the coolies were probably working for rich businessmen who owned the steamship. (conclusion) This meant that the Chinese coolies played a very important role in helping trade to grow as their labour was vital to the businessmen.

However, Source A has its limitations. According to the source, only Chinese coolies were shown loading and unloading coal. (evidence). The source failed to provide other information regarding the other races like the Malays, Indians and Europeans. These races also contributed to the growth of Singapore as an early settlement as they provided basic necessities like food and other specialized skills like administration of the country. These services were crucial to the society where a way of life was developed and the country could then prosper.

In addition, Source A only shows the Chinese providing labour. It did not show the other occupations of the Chinese. (evidence) For example, the Chinese also acted as middlemen who helped transacted between the Europeans and the Straits merchants. This contribution helped more people trade and as a result leading to the growth of Singapore as a trading centre.

Notes for Chapter 3