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The name of the devil is process: how regulatory process creates and sustains the disempowerment and injustices faced by migrant labour
For a few years now, Transient Workers Count Too has been asked to give a talk to journalists gathered at the annual Asia Journalism Fellowship. The following videos are adapted from the talk that Alex Au gave on 8 September 2016. There were about 20 journalists in TWC2's Dayspace, from
Extend subsidised Zika testing to foreign workers
Our press release made it into the Straits Times 7 September 2016 (imaged above) --- Statement for the media: Transient Workers Count Too urges the Ministry of Health to rethink the exclusion of subsidised testing for foreign workers who may be infected with the Zika virus. The Ministry announced yesterday
Foreign workers hit badly by zika and dengue: better housing needed
One of the most striking facts coming out of the currently ongoing zika virus outbreak in Singapore is that the initial cases seemed to have been concentrated at one construction site in the Sims Drive area. Of the first 41 confirmed cases, 36 were workers at the Sims Oasis project
TWC2 calls for better protection for domestic workers to commemorate the adoption of the ILO Domestic Workers Convention (C189).
16 June 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption of ILO’s Domestic Workers Convention (C189) which sets international standards of decent work for domestic workers. The C189 is currently in force in 21 countries[1] (International Labour Organization, n.d.). The adoption of C189 is significant because it ensures that the
Low wages a factor in injuries, deaths at work
There has been a series of news reports and opinion pieces about work safety in the light of the fact that in the first four months of 2016, there have been 28 workplace fatalities, six more compared to the same period last year. Twelve are from the construction sector and five
Stop work orders for safety violation: Ensure workers don’t end up paying the price
On 13 May 2016, a report in the Straits Times said that "Companies found lacking in workplace safety and health standards will now face stiffer penalties, including a longer minimum period in which they have to stop work." "Stop-work orders will now last at least three weeks, up from two
Forced repatriation can lead to death, needs to be addressed
Three recent posts here at this site demonstrate that employers continue to try to forcibly repatriate foreign workers, despite workers having unresolved salary claims or untreated injuries. This practice inflicts a great injustice on them. The failure of the authorities to stop it can only lead to speculation about conscious neglect. Mark Lamb
Bureaucrats close eyes, fold arms as worker’s salary slashed
Prabhu was unhappy about his boss' tactics that reduced his earnings, and came to us in March 2016 seeking advice. For over a year, the construction company that employed him didn't have enough work to keep all its employees occupied. Management (sort of) rostered the workers, such that in each
Provide more public spaces for foreign workers within Little India – Debbie Fordyce
In response to member of parliament Denise Phua's call on the government to fence off residents' areas from foreign workers and do more to disperse them from Little India (see News Flash), TWC2 executive committee member Debbie Fordyce wrote to the Straits Times. Her letter was published 11 April 2016:
TWC2 makes submission regarding proposed Employment Claims Tribunal
In February 2016, the Ministry of Manpower invited public feedback on the proposed Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT). The call for feedback can be seen at this link on the Reach website. Key points in the proposal include: ECT to be a tribunal under the State Courts, similar to Small Claims