Learning the lines for showtime
A Bangladeshi welder paid $3,400 to get a shipyard job. No receipts given, he says. Then he had to memorise some lines to say in front of the camera, and to express deep gratitude.
29
09, 2025
24
09, 2025
Glacially slow investigation and the victims it spawns
An Indian worker has been required to remain in Singapore for two years because of an investigation into abuse of the Training Employment Pass by his employer. Why does an investigation take so long?
19
09, 2025
Foolish questions
A first-time construction worker from Bangladesh walks us through the months in which he prepared for a working life in Singapore. He spent 15 months in preparation. His working life was 6 months. We haven't even mentioned money!
14
09, 2025
Without migrant labour, will there be food courts?
Food courts are iconic to Singapore and where many SIngaporeans get their daily meals. A former stall worker tells us about the people behind the counters and cleaning up after us.
10
09, 2025
Caught up in a levy-go-round
About 12 workers found their work passes "Invalid". Their employer had not paid the monthly foreign worker levy. We speak to one of them – how does this non-payment of the levy impact you?
6
09, 2025
Not good anywhere
A report looking at the laws (and gaps) impacting migrant workers in countries that are popular with Bangladeshi labour migrants. How do they compare with Singapore?
2
09, 2025
The rocky road to a transfer
Workers with salary claims would typically be in financial distress; they need to move into new jobs quickly without first having to go home. The COE letter is supposed to help them. Does it?
30
08, 2025
Fog and minefields
(Mis)information given to migrant workers before they decide to take up a job, inability to ask the right questions, reliance on agents can lay the ground for serious difficulties after they start work.
24
08, 2025
In principle, they are translated
The IPA is a key document informing workers of the terms of employment notified to MOM. But what if it's all Greek to them?
16
08, 2025
Boss made worker accept salary reduction of 85 percent
One year into his job, for which salary was already inconsistently paid, Husaib's boss insisted that he sign a new document slashing his monthly salary. Having paid $9,000 to get the job, could Husaib refuse?