All Articles
Harun and Hossen laugh in the face of misfortune
Two workers in quick succession come by and share with us the absurdities of migrant worker lives. But beneath the hilarity lurks the beast that devours all: recruitment cost.
Cat, roaches and a whistleblower
A Chinese worker showed us videos of the bakery where he was employed. We were mortified. He was determined to bring the matter to light. Thank goodness for his courage.
Filing a salary claim, Murugesan didn’t know it triggered an investigation
Murugesan went to MOM to complain about unpaid salary. For months thereafter, he thought that the officer there would be helping to recover his owed wages. In fact, MOM was investigating something, but whatever it was, it didn’t necessarily include getting his wages back for him. TWC2 had to help him get his salary case back on track.
Billal with beads of sweat
Billal is thrown into confusion when he hears that his "boss not accept" his injury. He was clearly injured and was taken by an ambulance to a hospital. How can this be not accepted?
Swindle, cheat and manipulate, example no. 2
Mohatab showed TWC2 two IPA documents he had in hand. Both named him as the worker and had the same dates. But the employers were different as were the salary details. Another scam!
Swindle, cheat and manipulate, example no. 1
A hotel advertised itself in India to jobseekers. Someone sent us the name of the hotel. We tried to book a room.
Recruitment cost up to 22 months’ salary for shipyard workers
When a worker has paid a huge amount to get a job, he cannot afford to lose that job and will thus be vulnerable to unreasonable, exploitative demands by the employer. How huge is huge?
Noodles, bean curd and the slippery space between countries
Is there a way for governments to regulate trans-national fee-charging? Is it too convenient to plead jurisdictional limitations, and do nothing?
Two overstayers served their sentences, but how are they to survive?
After release from prison, how are overstayers going to survive? Of course they'll look for underground work again.
Work 6 months, wait 18 months
Mazumder's saga began 24 months ago. In it, two employers appear to have gotten off scot-free for not paying his salary.