All Articles
Burden of proof: who requested work on a rest day?
Singapore's law on overtime makes a distinction between an employer's request and employee's request. Which party bears the burden of proof?
Human cargo and Singapore exceptionalism
It is sickening news to hear of another worker killed while riding on the back of a lorry – an unsafe practice the Singapore government refuses to ban.
Work permit holder has never met his boss, directed by agent to work here and there
Despite having worked 15 months, a foreign worker has not met his boss; it's his agent who gives him work and pays his salary. The arrangement smells fishy.
Faruk’s career journey and how much he has paid to agents along the way
Agents earn huge sums off the backs of migrant workers from Bangladesh coming to work in Singapore. Do these agents contribute to our economy?
Violence aboard lorries – from equipment
A worker on a lorry that met with an accident died in December. It's common to carry both men and equipment together on the back of lorries. We speak to three workers about the danger this poses.
Singapore’s Stern Warnings: criteria, comparisons and concerns
The basis for issuing stern warnings is loose and opaque; factually innocent people can be slapped with warnings, and then be administratively penalised.
Fifty kilos of cement and how law can turn into farce
Eleven months after hurting his back carrying cement, Hulyah describes how his Wica injury claim is coming along
Worker resists boss’ demand for kickbacks. “Don’t play with me,” warns boss
A boss demands more than half a worker's salary back, for a reason that shifts from time to time, including levy.
Worker invested $1,000 to upgrade himself; then a letter from MOM arrived
A worker went through a skills upgrading course and took an exam. He passed. All went well for six years untill a letter from MOM arrived at his employer's office.
Survey finds 5.6 percent still paid salaries in cash
From a survey of mostly Indian Tamil migrant workers conducted in October 2024, 5.6 percent was still paid salaries in cash. 12.2 percent were paid later than permitted by law.