Articles > Facts, Research, Analysis

Forced repatriation can lead to death, needs to be addressed

May 16th, 2016|

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

Over 80% of male foreign workers want to be paid through bank giro

May 14th, 2016|

Introduction In March 2016, Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan told Parliament that the government was not prepared to make bank payment of foreign worker salaries mandatory. He gave a few reasons which the section 'Discussion' below will address. TWC2 felt it would be worthwhile to do a simple survey

TWC2 makes submission regarding proposed Employment Claims Tribunal

April 10th, 2016|

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

Too many claims for minor injuries

March 12th, 2016|

Most of the men who appeal to TWC2 for assistance have lost their jobs and left the company dormitory after suffering a workplace injury and lodging a claim for injury compensation. The majority of them come to TWC2 through the meal program known as The Cuff Road Project (TCRP). In

Only 50 complaints a year re unauthorised salary deductions. Really?

March 11th, 2016|

Extracted from the Hansard (Parliamentary reports), for the record: Parliamentary sitting of 29 February 2016: Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many complaints of unauthorised salary deductions have been registered every year from 2010 to 2015; and (b) in how many of these cases are

Statistics on Dependant Passes

March 10th, 2016|

Extracted from the Hansard (Parliamentary reports) for the record: Parliamentary sitting of 29 February 2016. Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Manpower (a) from 2011 to 2015, what is the number of foreigners given Dependant Passes; and (b) what is the number of Dependant Pass holders who are

MOM takes fewer than 10% of salary-non-payment employers to court

November 27th, 2015|

For the record, we place here the relevant part of the Parliamentary minutes from the sitting of Monday, 11 May 2015. Sanctions against employers who withhold wages for foreign employees Mr Hri Kumar Nair asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider stronger sanctions against employers who fail

A Sri Lankan’s story – the blurry line between exploitation and trafficking

November 24th, 2015|

Transient Workers Count Too sees a relatively small number of Sri Lankans in the course of our work. There are far fewer of them in Singapore compared to Indians and Bangladeshis. Sri Lankans are an approved source for domestic work, construction and marine sectors, but except for women in the

Call for proposals: Labour Court research project

October 29th, 2015|

TWC2 is seeking collaborators to help us undertake research on Singapore's Labour Court system at the Ministry of Manpower, specifically procedures and practices relating to the salary and injury claims of migrant workers. Research will include a review of legislation and legislative history governing salary and injury claims in Labour

Who cares about the overtime rule? and other discoveries

October 21st, 2015|

By Fatima Ying I was given the opportunity to intern for TWC2 and the experience allowed me to interact with migrant workers, most of whom are Indian and Bangladeshi nationals. Through my conversations with them, I got to find out more about their culture and lifestyle here and gained some