Articles > Facts, Research, Analysis
Struggles and sacrifices as cost of living rises
What changed for migrant workers between 2019 (pre-Covid) and 2023 - in terms of salary, food costs, remittances, etc? A report from a survey of nearly 500 workers and focus group discussions.
From dirty to forgotten: inadequate provision for laundry in dorms
Laundry is a regular routine for nearly everyone. What have migrant workers living in dormitories to say about this? Our intern finds out.
They have bank cards, but are they going cashless? Part 2
Even though most migrant workers have bank cards and half of them have Visa- or Mastercard-enabled cards, the majority were still using cash to top up their transit cards.
They have bank cards, but are they going cashless? Part 1
We stake stock whether more workers now have bank accounts, and what kinds of bank cards are issued to them. Clear improvement since 2016.
Twenty years from now, where will our cheap labour come from?
Singapore is facing a migrant labour cruch that is many times worse than what we experienced during Covid, albeit that it may be 20 years away. But we're not mentally ready to prepare and adapt.
Foreign workforce numbers, 2022
Latest figures from the Ministry of Manpower show how the numbers of foreign workers have more than bounced back since Covid-19.
The mess over rest day pay starts from the top
To a Parliamentary question, the Manpower Minister revealed how little his ministry did over rest day pay violations. He also revealed the stunningly employer-forgiving attitude his ministry adopts even when violations are found.
The price of labour migration: dreadful catered meals
Our volunteer spent two months interviewing workers seeking their perspective on the meals they get in the dormitories. Choice is an unknown concept.
Lorryloads of workers driven through a legal loophole
Is it common to underpay workers in construction and related trades for working on their usual days-off? We ran a survey to find out, and were rather taken aback at the results.
Rest day pay disparity disadvantages low-wage workers
Singapore's Employment Act has a blurry bifurcation re pay entitlement for working on a rest day. It permits employers to exploit workers, especially low-wage ones with little bargaining power.