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At last, a (temporary) scheme to retain construction workers — more dirigiste allocation than real choice
MOM announced a temporary retention scheme to keep laid-off construction workers in Singapore. Six workers kept us informed of their experience while waiting for new jobs.
Covid-19 crisis at Jalan Tukang dormitory — some immediate comments from TWC2
Hundreds of mostly unvaccinated workers came down with Covid-19 at a dormitory, but the scene was set well before by government policies or neglect.
On wrongful dismissal, TADM’s conception of its role is deeply flawed
TADM's conception of its mediation role, in our view, undermines the neutrality one would expect of it and intentionally or not, creates a bias against employees.
Government announces new standards for control of virus, packaged as new dorm standards
The Ministry of Manpower announced new dormitory standards in September 2021. They're nearly all about control and surveillance, not comfort and wellbeing.
Letter in the Straits Times: TADM’s role in wrongful dismissal claims is to mediate, not adjudicate
TWC2 points out in a letter to the press that in handling wrongful dismissal claims, TADM tends to exceed its powers.
Our letter in Straits Times Forum: Ensure pilot schemes to bring migrant workers in are well thought through
Pilot programmes to bring in new batches of workers are being planned. We urge that details be thought through carefully and all workers be vaccinated.
Rule change: domestic workers to enjoy one compulsory day off a month
Multiple measures to try to deal with abusive confinement of maids. How well will they work? Are there better, less-costly solutions?
Some latest numbers on dorm population and vaccination
Triangulating from various figures published recently, the latest estimate for Singapore's dorm population is 275,000, of whom about 45% are fully vaccinated.
Nine medical centres for migrant workers to be set up
MOM plans 9 medical centres across Singapore geared to serving migrant workers, Making provision is good, but if employers stymie demand, healthcare goals may be elusive.
Only fifteen Covid-19 cases among dorm residents in April, May and June 2021; workers still largely locked down
In the second quarter of 2021, there were only 15 cases of Covid-19 in worker dormitories, a mere fraction of cases in Singapore.