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89% of salary disputes arise from cash-payment employers, confirms MOM
In a parliamentary reply to a question by MP Melvin Yong, Manpower minister Josephine Teo said in July 2018 that only 11% of work permit holders lodging salary claims were paid electronically. (Scroll down for full reply). This factoid supports TWC2's urging that electronic payment of salaries should be made
False hope, hesitant trust and bureaucratic complexities
By Liang Lei, based on an interview in May 2018 Received unexpectedly dismal scores for an assessment? Appeal. Although this “survival tactic” for examinations seems to transcend cultures, the consequences can vary drastically from one situation to another. In the case of a foreign worker’s Permanent Incapacity Compensation score, a
Surgery not covered by insurance, says boss. Go back to India instead
By Nicholas Lee based on an interview in May 2018 The crowd at TWC2's food programme grows as the hour for the breaking of the Ramadan fast approaches. Among the non-Muslims is Paranthaman Arulvendan, registering himself with TWC2 for the first time. But he's not new to Singapore. Arul has
Bangladeshi workers’ perception of Singapore, choice of Singapore as work destination and journey here
Intern Roy Lim was with TWC2 from late April to early June 2018. Among his tasks were to complete a research project, a smallish one in view of the limited time and that fact that it had to be done single-handedly. The attached paper is his report. In his paper,
More frauds committed using ministry letterhead
In October 2017, we carried a story Fraud committed using ministry letterhead [link] about how a worker was misled about the salary he would be getting before he signed on for a job in Singapore. While, as we explained in that article, we did not know who exactly was the culprit,
One million free meals served — a bittersweet moment for TWC2
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu poses with TWC2's one million meals placard. Bittersweet - that's the exact sentiment here at TWC2 as we commemorate having served one million free meals to needy migrant workers. We give ourselves a pat on the back and celebrate this accomplishment.
Life and happiness for some, downward spiral for Alam
By Sun Hanchen, based on an interview in March 2018 Money is not important, they say. Chase your own happiness, they say. Live for yourself, for life is meant to be enjoyed. As a middle class, soon-to-be-university educated, Chinese (read: majority) person, I often hear this advice from my more
On emotional health
By Debbie Fordyce In trying to help injured and out-of-work migrant workers, we at TWC2 find ourselves dealing with a multitude of issues piling onto the same man at the same time. Some of them, such as injuries, are easier to see than others. Others, such as non-payment of salaries,
MOM accuses us of “inaccurate or false information” — here’s our response
This is TWC2's response to a statement by the Ministry of Manpower over "inaccurate or false information" in our recent stories. The statement was dated 6 July 2018 and carried on the government's "Factually" website. From time to time, differences will occur between what TWC2 records workers to be saying in
$55 a day and the bright side of things
By Philomène Franssen based on an interview in April 2018 It is quite an unusual story that I got to hear at TWC2's Cuff Road Project food programme, one Monday evening. Indeed, as a volunteer member of the Communications team, when I sign up to interview one of the migrant