Foreign worker saves cat
Once in a while an anonymous Singaporean posts something nice about migrant workers. Here, a little tale that first appeared on Singapore Stomp: This is the link to the original.
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12, 2014
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12, 2014
Hive of activity as TWC2 crosses into second decade
In a triple celebration 7 December 2014, TWC2 marked its tenth anniversary and International Migrants Day with a benefit event Lunch with Heart. Under the glass dome of Kebabs and Curries atop Mustafa Centre, TWC2's largest-ever event had hundreds of attendees in constant motion, from food to games to meeting old friends and making new
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12, 2014
Four dead in shophouse dorm fire
Four people died in a relatively small fire that broke out in a shophouse used as a dormitory for workers from China, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia. The fire was reported at about 1:40am on Saturday, 6 December 2014, and put out within 30 minutes. The Straits Times and The New Paper carried the news in
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12, 2014
Allow injured workers waiting for compensation to work, e.g. in services sector
Here's is an op-ed by TWC2's John Gee that was published in the Straits Times on Wednesday 3 December 2014: A win-win way to help injured foreign workers By John Gee. Straits Times, 3 December 2014 The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is considering outsourcing the inspection of workplaces to counter the illegal employment of foreign
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12, 2014
Over the years, migrant workers have faced ‘deteriorating conditions’ — John Gee
At a symposium organised by the Asia Research Institute, TWC2 head of research John Gee said that whilst globally, there had never been better protection in law for migrants' rights, yet in many respects, their actual position was going backwards. Even in Singapore, he felt there has been progress, but placement costs represent one area in which
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11, 2014
New restrictions on conversions of industrial buildings into dorms
A mere two days after the Straits Times featured with some praise two workers' dormitories converted from industrial premises (see Dorms converted from industrial premises said to be 'adequate'), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) banned new conversions within twelve areas. In a circular dated 14 November, the URA said no new workers'dormitories will be allowed
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11, 2014
A visit to a skills training centre in Bangladesh
A visit to the Asea Trading International Singapore Skills Centre in Tangail District of Bangladesh began with a conversation with the managing director Mr. Md Anisur Rahman. He proudly boasted that his centre hosts about 100 men at a time offering training in such skills as welding, electrical wiring, waterproofing, pipefitting and installing acoustical ceilings.
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11, 2014
Convert levy into workers’ deferred savings, suggests Ho Kwon Ping
In a lecture delivered at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, on 12 November 2014, Ho Kwon Ping, executive chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings and IPS-Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, made a few proposals with respect to migrant workers in Singapore. The relevant part is here: First, we can perhaps
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11, 2014
Dorms converted from industrial premises said to be ‘adequate’
The Straits Times reported 12 Nov 2014 that the Ministry of Manpower found "adequate conditions" in two workers' dormitories they recently inspected. These two were converted from industrial premises located in the Joo Koon area. Inspectors found "clean bedrooms and bathrooms, and facilities such as a gym and TV sets" in these premises. One of
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11, 2014
Exercise using foreign workers as ‘rioters’ exact opposite of sensitivity training
The Facebook post by Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan 11 November 2014 (click thumbnail at right) titled 'Joint exercise with Police, SCDF & foreign worker ambassadors' accompanied by eight photographs does a great disservice to migrant workers who have played such an important role in building Singapore, especially those of South Asian origin