Articles

26 09, 2014

Low salary, no overtime and injured, but they like Singapore

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:01+08:00September 26th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Meera Rajah “Why Singapore?” – Ishwar Singh and Pardeep Kumar appear slightly perplexed as to how to answer this direct question, somewhat aware of the vague implications surrounding it. Ishwar (above, right) has now been in Singapore for five years. Pardeep (above left) has been here for slightly longer. Having arrived in 2007, this

23 09, 2014

Pay slips crucial for injury compensation too

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:01+08:00September 23rd, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Fuxiong Many stories on this website have documented the difficulties workers face in the period following a work accident. Denial of medical treatment, efforts by employers to repatriate them against their will, or attempts to deny that the accident even occurred (thus foreclosing any chance of compensation for the resulting permanent incapacity) are common

20 09, 2014

Help TWC2 by buying tickets for Lunch With Heart 2014

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:01+08:00September 20th, 2014|Articles, Happenings|

Lunch With Heart is here again! Remember this annual fundraising event of good food, fun show and exciting games! Please buy tickets and help TWC2 do better than the $25,000 raised last year. Here is also a chance to treat foreign workers to a nice meal. If you are not free to come to the

20 09, 2014

Arm left with ‘no power’, but offered only a tiny compensation

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 20th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Keith Wong "Twenty months," says Kabil Monul (not his real name). That's how long it has been since an industrial accident caused a dislocation of his left shoulder. Only today (in August 2014) has he received an offer from the Ministry of Manpower for compensation for permanent incapacity: a mere two "points", which translates

16 09, 2014

Lifting supervisor dropped by company after he took a stand

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 16th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Fuxiong The banana was meant to be eaten, but in telling me his story, Shamsuddoha was waving it and hitting the table with it. It was soon bruised. He was too agitated to eat, particularly when he recounted the moment when he confronted his site manager. "Then who is responsible if accident happening during

15 09, 2014

Overhauling Singapore’s migrant labour system – an alternative plan

alex2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 15th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

By Alex Au Many stories on the website of Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) tell of the abuses inflicted on migrant workers in Singapore. TWC2 holds the view that the regulatory system governing the recruitment and control of foreign labour lies at the root of these abuses. Fortunately, many employers refrain from taking full advantage

13 09, 2014

Through Singapore employer, lured to Cambodia with fake job offer

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 13th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Nissa Mai The flight from Singapore to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, wasn't long — just under two hours — but for Margarette, the journey represented a whole new beginning, a fresh take on life. After years of domestic labor, she was finally going to begin her career in the hospitality line. Margarette, a Filipina national,

11 09, 2014

From sharks to ice-cream via peace, love and sponsorship

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 11th, 2014|Articles, Happenings|

By TK “Wow…… surprise. Very nice place. We will enjoy the place very much,” exclaimed Amir Khan, when he heard that Discover Singapore would be organizing an outing to Sentosa S.E.A. aquarium. Since the launch of Discover Singapore in May 2013, outing destinations have typically been free public spaces such as parks, gardens and beaches.

10 09, 2014

About 70,000 workers live on construction sites

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 10th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, News Flash, Our Stand|

Manpower minister Tan Chuan-jin told parliament through a written reply that about 70,000 workers (presumably male construction workers) live in temporary housing located at construction sites. Most foreign workers live in purpose-built dormitories but around 20 per cent - or 70,000 - live on construction sites. The figures were released on Tuesday in a written

10 09, 2014

26 to 40 percent of male workers suffer illegal ‘savings money’ deduction

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 10th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

A new survey of nearly three hundred male migrant workers found that 26 to 40 percent of them suffered a pay deduction commonly known as 'savings money' -- roughly one in three workers. The deduction averaged $50 a month. An earlier survey (see: One third of male migrant workers aren't paid what they are due)