All items filed under News
Bosses send foreign workers to gamble
In a special report on November 4, 2011, the Straits Times put the spotlight on a disturbing development: bosses who use their foreign workers to gamble vicariously at casinos. Employers typically provide each worker with $500 as seed money for the day. Winnings go back to the employer, except for
More workers falling to their deaths
Thirteen workers died after falls from height during the first six months of the year, up from nine during the same period last year, reported the Straits Times on November 4, 2011. Falling from roofs led to three lives lost between January and June this year, compared with two for
Little rest for Singapore’s silent army
"You cannot choose your food... I will decide the type of food to buy for you. You cannot use the washing machine or dryer... you must hand wash your own clothes and bed sheets. And if (the children) fall down, it's your fault" – CNN cites this as one of
MOM expediting construction of dormitories, says Minister of State for Manpower
In answer to a question by People's Action Party backbencher Fatimah Lateef about housing male foreign workers, Minister of State for Manpower, Tan Chuan-jin said his ministry was expediting the construction of more dormitories. He also revealed that there were 670,000 male work permit holders at the present time. In
TWC2 featured in Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao
Chinese-language morning daily Lianhe Zaobao devoted a half page to Transient Workers Count Too in their edition of Monday, October 31, 2011. Describing TWC2 as an organisation that extends a helping hand to migrant workers, the story opened with an interesting, yet important perspective: That fair treatment of guest workers
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
Bangladeshi worker found hanged in dormitory
By Spiegel A young man from Bangladesh was found hanged in his dormitory room in Kaki Bukit on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at about 6 p.m. Paramedics were called, but the man was pronounced dead. The Straits Times reported that he worked for "a company that deals with construction, repairs
MOM to strengthen enforcement of foreign worker law
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that it plans to amend the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) to raise employment standards and the well-being of foreign workers. However, no details were announced in the statement released on October 11, 2011 – the ministry's addendum to the President's Address marking
Boss fakes workers’ list to hire foreigners
A boss of a construction firm pleaded guilty on October 11, 2011, to ten charges of obtaining kickbacks from foreign employees. This was in violation of the law that prohibited employers of foreign workers from demanding or receiving any benefit for hiring them. Kenneth Lim Ong Long also pleaded guilty
Four weeks’ imprisonment for not paying wages — appeal court affirms sentence
An employer who failed to pay wages to 73 foreign workers on time had his four-week jail sentence affirmed by an appeal court. The unpaid salaries ranged from two to seven months' worth. The Straits Times reported that Lee Chiang Theng, 58, sole director of Goldrich Venture and Gates Offshore,