Raising productivity needs direct intervention; lengthening maximum employment period too indirect
The Ministry of Manpower’s extension of the maximum period of employment of work permit holders from six to ten years is a move in the right direction (See http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressReleasesDetail.aspx?listid=415). Like the ministry, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) believes that improving the skill levels and productivity of foreign workers should be a key aim. This move,...
TWC2 glad that Tanjong Pagar MP has raised issue of abandoned injured workers
Transient Workers Count Too Monday, March 12, 2012 Media Release For immediate release TWC2 glad that Tanjong Pagar MP has raised issue of abandoned injured workers; invites reporters to 4th anniversary of our free meals programme The issue that Ms Indranee Rajah (PAP Tanjong Pagar) brought up in parliament, in relation to injured foreign workers...
Government making weekly rest day mandatory for foreign domestic workers a progressive move
Transient Workers Count Too Monday, 5 March 2012 Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) welcomes the announcement by the Ministry of Manpower requiring a weekly rest day for foreign domestic workers (FDW). TWC2 has been advocating this ever since we started in 2003 and is pleased that this significant move forward is now being taken. Over...
MOM needs to be more proactive than reactive over salary complaints by foreign workers
Statement to the media by Transient Workers Count Too 8 February 2012 For immediate release The recently reported strike by about 200 foreign workers at a worksite in Tampines over unpaid salaries once again highlights the inadequacy of existing systems for preventing such exploitation of labour by employers. (Straits Times, 7 Feb 2012, Wage dispute...
HDB construction workers to rise from 18,000 to 45,000, so will worker problems
Media Release 13 January 2012 For immediate release Minister for National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan told Parliament, in response to a question from a member of parliament on 9 December 2012, that with the Housing and Development Board (HDB) accelerating its building programme, the number of construction workers involved in HDB projects is expected...
In commemoration of International Migrants Day, 18 December 2011
Message to mark International Migrants’ Day, 2011 by Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) Migrants on temporary work permits have long been the backbone of Singapore’s economy. Today, there are 870,000 migrant workers in Singapore comprising two in seven workers in the Singapore workforce. These workers keep our houses clean, take care of our families, sweep...
SIP should include empowering domestic workers with knowledge of their rights
December 15, 2011 For immediate release TWC2 welcomes a new policy announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 4 December 2011 to replace the compulsory English written test for newly arrived migrant domestic workers with a mandatory three-day settling in programme (SIP). However, we call for MOM to ensure that the dignity and rights...
Jailing bosses who ill-treat foreign workers is good, but do more to help the victims
December 1, 2011 For immediate release Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) welcomes the sentencing guidelines laid out by Justice V K Rajah in his written decision issued last week in Lee Chiang Theng vs Public Prosecutor. Justice Rajah said that “employers who persistently fail to discharge their legal responsibilities towards foreign workers will ordinarily have...
TWC2 welcomes Tan Chuan-jin’s focus on worker housing
November 14, 2011 For immediate release Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) applauds Minister of State for Manpower Tan Chuan-jin’s personal involvement in raids conducted against substandard accommodation for foreign workers (Straits Times, 11 November 2011: Minister leads checks on workers’ dorms, by Kezia Toh), as a welcome sign of greater governmental attention to the issue...
Vincent Wijeysingha leaves TWC2
For immediate release, 29 October 2011 Dr Vincent Wijeysingha has resigned of his own accord from his position as Executive Director of TWC2 with effect from 30 October 2011. The Executive Committee understands that he wishes to pursue other paths and areas of interest, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours....
