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The temptation of release
By Chow Zhi Ying Zaman (not his real name) was out of work for three months even though his work permit had not expired. After a serious conflict with his supervisor, who demanded money from him, his boss agreed to give him a transfer letter. It would allow Zaman to
Made to stand in a corner like children
"At the [agency] office, every morning, we must clean the office," says Mary Grace Pescador, 31, a domestic helper from the Philippines, "and from 10am to 1am -- i.e. past midnight -- we have to stand. As punishment." The six women were being punished by their employment agent because the
Foreman takes money from worker
Within about a week of arriving in Singapore in early January 2013 to take up his welder job, Aminul discovered that the $6,000 (Bangladesh Taka 390,000) he had paid in Bangladesh as "employment agent's fee" was far higher than the norm. "I ask other worker how much they give for
Homeless Salim’s illegal boss makes up to $150,000 a month
By YC Loh “Where do you stay now?” I ask Salim. "Last night, sleep this table," is his reply, pointing to an eatery table. "Night before, sleep minimart there,” indicating a bit of space under a tree at Little India’s ‘Bangla Square’. He has been brought to this sad, homeless state
Beautician relies entirely on agent who puts her on path to jail
Riya was sentenced to three weeks in jail in June this year for twice submitting false documents to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). She had no clue that she had committed the offence. Her life fell apart in October 2012 when her employer suddenly took her to MOM with her
Sabuj paid agent $4,500, then faced additional demands
Md Sabuj (right) with his friend Nurabi Sarkar (left) By Wendy Ma First he had to give a big chunk of his salary to his co-worker who acted as an illegal agent, then he hurt his back in his second job. Sabuj Obidaul Hoque ended up with nowhere
After six years in Singapore, $5,000 in debt
By Gabriel Liong When Monir first arrived in Singapore in 2007, he came with the hopes of supporting his family, and of one day returning to Bangladesh with a brighter future. After six years, these hopes have yet to be realised; instead, Monir now finds himself S$5,000 in debt. Recalling
Even bar boys seek us out
The two guys showed up at our office looking for help with accommodation and money for food. But they didn't look at all like the workers we usually see from China. Recalls Kenneth Soh, TWC2's social worker, "They were very fair, smooth-skinned and good-looking, completely different from the sunburnt construction
Long wait for the lorry
By Keith W It was a Wednesday like many other Wednesdays. The men got out of bed, washed, grabbed whatever passed for breakfast, dressed and went down to the street to wait for the lorry which would take them to the worksite. Only, this Wednesday, 30 January 2013, the lorry
Employer tells worker: Salary deduction is for government levy
By YC Loh Transient Workers Count Too sees thousands of cases a year. One might think we've seen all the many ways workers get the short end of the stick. And yet Elias' story illustrates a new way to deprive a worker of his just salary. Elias Sherajul Islam, 25, was employed