Articles

5 04, 2014

Mahbub has been depending on charity for two whole years

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:33+08:00April 5th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Sonia Pillai “Family just cry," says Mahbub, 26, of their helplessness after learning of his injury. "Now everything cannot. My cousin, my uncle, my friend borrow (he means 'lent') me money, I cannot give back.” He had borrowed $8,000 to pay his agent for this job. It's been two whole years since. A fall

30 03, 2014

Our accounts reflect our frugality

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:33+08:00March 30th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, News Flash|

In 2013, over 90 percent of TWC2's spending went towards charitable activities, benefitting our clients in a relatively direct way. We spend little on overheads, reflecting a philosophy of frugality we are proud of. Total expenditure in the year was $481,139, leaving us with a surplus of $254,755 from the year's income of $735,894. About

30 03, 2014

Gripped by two repatriation agents, Monjor is taken to airport

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:34+08:00March 30th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Joyce Wong Monjor's boss wanted him to accept a lower pay than previously agreed. He refused. Then repatriation agents came. Last month, testifying before the Committee of Inquiry looking into the Little India riots, Kevin Teoh of MOM's Foreign Manpower Management Division, said, as reported in Today newspaper: Asked about the framework in place

27 03, 2014

How ‘law’ fails migrant workers

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:34+08:00March 27th, 2014|Articles, Happenings, News, Our Stand|

At the Migrant Awareness Week organised by students in the law school of National University of Singapore, 3 - 7 March 2014, a whole host of activities were on the calendar. For the forum of 3 March, TWC2 vice-president Alex Au (pictured above with HOME's Celine Dermine on his left) gave a presentation. Below is

24 03, 2014

Nose healed, Rana ready to go back to work, but boss won’t have him

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:34+08:00March 24th, 2014|Articles, News, Our Stand, Stories|

By Woo Haoqi Instead of providing for his family, Rana Md Masud depends on his uncle for financial support. This uncle is also working in Singapore, but it doesn't change the fact that Rana is a burden to his family. Says Alex Au, TWC2 Vice president, “Rana represents one of those cases whom TWC2 feels

21 03, 2014

230 retail employees face jail

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:34+08:00March 21st, 2014|Articles, News, News Flash, Stories|

By Lucas Ho Selvam (not his real name) rests his head, heavy with worry, in his hand. "I very worry," he says. "So many nights I cannot sleep." He knows about a recent the report in the Straits Times: "22 Indian nationals charged for false declaration of salaries," ran the headline in the Straits Times

20 03, 2014

Malaysians form the largest group of work permit holders by nationality

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:35+08:00March 20th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

In yet another example of the Ministry of Manpower releasing data in dribs and drabs, Kevin Teoh, the divisional director of MOM's Foreign Manpower Management Division told the Committee of Inquiry looking into the Little India riots: Mr Teoh also clarified that of the 1.1 million foreign non-domestic workers in Singapore, about 330,000 were employment pass and

18 03, 2014

Who prospers in this salary saga?

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:35+08:00March 18th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

Our recent article about workers from Woolim Plant Engineering & Construction Company explained how the Bangladeshi employees were underpaid for over a year before deciding to raise the issue, and how Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) assisted them in calculating their salaries and lodging a complaint with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This is far

15 03, 2014

In the hours following an accident, the mischief starts

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:35+08:00March 15th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Keith W Hossain Jabed's story is one of long frustration. His accident happened more than one year ago, but his medical treatment has been suspended because his employer wouldn't pay, and now he is likely to be sent home without being properly cured. "I cannot turn head very much," he says, explaining his restricted

11 03, 2014

Dentists treat foot injuries, don’t they?

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:35+08:00March 11th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Mayank Tripathi “Why should I go to a dentist for a broken foot?" exclaims a visibly weary Md Sultan Khan, when he begins telling me his story. About a year ago, Sultan, an employee of Sino Marine & Engineering, incurred an injury while at his workplace in Keppel shipyard. He was initially treated at