Announcements and upcoming events:
We invite all volunteers, staff and members to join us at one or more of our upcoming strategic review sessions in February 2023. Here’s an opportunity to put our heads together to think longer term about TWC2’s mission and activities. Click here for more details including dates, times and venue.
If you are interested in helping out, our next volunteer orientation session (“Heartbeat”) will be on Thursday, 19 January 2023 at 7:30pm. In this session, we will describe the different volunteering opportunities available and if you find a fit with your time and interests, you can then sign up as a volunteer (no obligation to do so). If you wish to attend the next session, please send an email to info@twc2.org.sg with the header “Interested in Heartbeat, January 2023”. This is a face-to-face meeting, not an online session.
TWC2’s office will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, 23 & 24 January 2023 for Chinese New Year. We will be open again on Wednesday 25 January.
Transient Workers Count Too has been made aware of job advertisements for a purported social enterprise named “Transient workers provident fund (TWPF)”. We have no connection with nor knowledge of any such venture.
Featured Articles
Two generations of migrant workers
Two sons tell us what their fathers' basic wages were when the latter were working in Singapore. An older worker tells us what his starting salary was over twenty years ago, and what his current
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No greater satisfaction than a trembling hand
Chen Le was determined to clear his name. But what about that gaping wound? Follow this worker as he goes from one agency to another.
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How an employer used the ministry’s flat-footedness to abuse Farhad of his right
Farhad did not agree to renewal of his permit after 3 years in the company. Under the regulations, he had a right to look for another company. but this right was effectively denied him.
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The sad rabbit
In January 2023, some migrant workers will enjoy a three-day stretch of holidays, on account of Chinese New Year. There will be many who will not.
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At the Cuff Road Project: #3 of three profiles
What do we do at The Cuff Road Project? We profile three instances where workers came for help in addition to benefitting from our free meals.
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At the Cuff Road Project: #2 of three profiles
What do we do at The Cuff Road Project? We profile three instances where workers came for help in addition to benefitting from our free meals.
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At the Cuff Road Project: #1 of three profiles
What do we do at The Cuff Road Project? We profile three instances where workers came for help in addition to benefitting from our free meals. This is the first of three.
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Company presented a waiver signed by injured worker; judge throws it out
A badly injured worker sued his employer for negligence. The company said he had agreed to waive his right of action against the company.
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Two loans and their interest rates
Two workers shared with us how much they borrowed to fund their recruitment. They also laid out their repayment schedules. With a bit of math, a stunning picture emerges.
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Job search: a clash of operating systems
We heard that two years ago, a worker was penalised for being involved with recruitment, though he protested his innocence. This tiny tale tells us a a much bigger story.
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For an experienced worker, some things improve, others remain the same
Khan got his latest job without paying an agent's fee, but he was still faced with an unreasonable and bullying employer. What are the reasons that produce such outcomes?
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Acquitted, yet punished – Rahman’s story
Rahman was charged for rioting. He was innocent, and ultimately acquitted. Then he was punished. How did that happen?
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Labour crunch during pandemic reveals hopeful possibilities for recruitment cost
When the construction industry faced a severe manpower shortage due to Covid-19 border closures, a funny thing happened to recruitment costs. Knowing the phenomenon would be ephemeral, a snapshot study was conducted.
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Hanging plastic sheets is a matter fraught with “operational complexities”
The government announced new rules to improve safety and welfare for workers carried on the backs of lorries. We couldn't find anything meaningful among the new measures.
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