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Research series: Recruitment costs
The great majority of transnational migrant workers pay money in order to obtain jobs in other countries. The charges are often exorbitant. Most of the money goes to middlemen: agents in their own country or in destination countries, local recruiters and training centres (which often function as middlemen institutions). Some
Delay in being given treatment complicates Arjunan’s recovery
“God’s grace is with me”, says Arjunan with a smile, as he awaits an arduous legal procedure for injury compensation By Ranjana Raghunathan Arjunan has worked in Singapore since 2008. After four years in a company, he joined the current company in November 2014. His job involved plastering and painting
Monir falls from scaffolding into downsizing and debt
By Katia Barthelemy Things were going fine for Mia Monir, 25, from Bangladesh: he tells me he has been working for Kim Heng Marine for four years already with no major complaints from his side. But Monir’s story took a dramatic turn on 10 March 2016, showing that life can take unexpected,
Uddin Mohi worked eight months, not paid for six
By Eugene Teo Many migrant workers see working in Singapore as a breadwinning opportunity, but is it really? Uddin Mohi, 23, will probably tell you there are huge risks. Uddin worked at a painting and plastering company, S.A.E. & C (S) Pte Ltd, from April 2015 till November 2015. Of the
Forced repatriation can lead to death, needs to be addressed
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
Do I stay and press my case, or give up and go?
By Mark Lamb Thursday, 5 May 2016. "An emergency" whisks through the room where we're convening to discuss communication plans for Transient Workers Count Too. My barometer perks up but it is no time for self-interest as this appears to be a serious matter and one of immediate urgency. In
Over 80% of male foreign workers want to be paid through bank giro
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
Chicken pox: how TWC2 stopped it spreading
By Eugene Teo On the evening of 19 October 2015, Huq Md Mynul showed up at our free meals programme. He was running a fever and had all the signs of chicken pox over his face and body. But he was also homeless. Transient Workers Count Too immediately put him
$16,400 – The price of the Singapore dream
By Keani Vonge "Nine lakh fifty thousand," is what Hassan Raqibul says when we at TWC2 ask him how much he paid for the job in Singapore. That converts to S$16,400. About half of Hassan's total fee went to a training centre -- construction workers must acquire a skills certificate
Ahmmad’s life turned upside down after accident
By Lee Zi Xin “I have nothing to do every day”, says Ahmmad, as he speaks to me about the long wait for closure of his injury compensation claim. It's been four months since the accident, and he has been out of work since. His relationship with his boss has deteriorated