Articles

8 12, 2011

Arrived in Singapore, kept waiting for his job, only to find himself an illegal

alex2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00December 8th, 2011|Articles, Stories|

Mahabubul Abul Khayer's employment history illustrates how exploitative and disgraceful Singapore's record of using foreign labour is. Repeatedly, employment agents made thousands of dollars out of him. At least in the early years, he got in return a job through which he more or less recovered what he had paid. Lately, however, the practice seems

1 12, 2011

Manpower ministry publishes booklet for foreign workers

webmaster2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00December 1st, 2011|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

New workers arriving in Singapore will receive a booklet giving them important information about their stay and job here. Each person arriving with an In-principle Approval for a Work Permit will get a copy at Immigration. Titled 'A Guide for Foreign Workers' in English, it comes in six other languages -- Chinese, Thai, Tamil, Bengali

29 11, 2011

Jail for bosses who mistreat workers, says judge

webmaster2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 29th, 2011|Articles, Stories|

This article was first published on Yawning Bread and republished here with permission (slightly edited). In a landmark judgement from the High Court, Justice V K Rajah not only dismissed the appeal of an employer who caused great suffering to over 600 foreign workers, but stated for the record that employers who "persistently" mistreated their

28 11, 2011

Of life and debt

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 28th, 2011|Articles, Stories|

By Spiegel Ramachandran arrived six years ago. Leaving his parents and two siblings in Tamil Nadu, he found in Singapore a new life, steady employment, and a shot at lifting his family into a better existence. He earned his keep as a fitter at Jurong Shipyard, where his amiability and conscientiousness on the job earned

28 11, 2011

Donate your older cameras and laptops to TWC2

webmaster2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 28th, 2011|Articles, Happenings|

Stay green, at least a little longer. Don't be so quick to throw away your older cameras and laptops when you've bought a newer model. Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) has use for them. As a charity organisation, we depend entirely on donations. Rather than spend precious cash donations on buying new laptops and cameras,

27 11, 2011

Not like a fridge or washing machine

alex2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 27th, 2011|Articles, Happenings|

It's been 33 years, said Isaac Tan, since foreign domestic workers started moving into Singaporean households. A generation of young people has grown up with them. How have their presence impacted our lives? Together with his friends, Abhiroop Basu, Dawn Toh and others – "creative types", according to TWC2 president Russell Heng – Isaac hit

25 11, 2011

Banned for being broke

alex2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 25th, 2011|Articles, Stories|

"I no money, I no job," said Kesar (real name withheld on request), explaining why he worked illegally for a short spell. After he complained to his employer about deductions from his salary, he was threatened. "Boss angry and he say 'I send you back to Bangladesh'." Fearing capture and forced deportation by repatriation agents

23 11, 2011

Salaries should be paid in full within 7 days — the legal basis

webmaster2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 23rd, 2011|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

In a booklet distributed by the Ministry of Manpower to Work Permit holders, titled 'A Guide for Foreign Workers', there is a brief mention of when employers are supposed to pay their workers. It says: Payment of Salary You should receive your salary at least once a month and within 7 days after the salary

23 11, 2011

Employment of Foreign Manpower Regulations

webmaster2019-08-30T16:36:25+08:00November 23rd, 2011|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Section 29 of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) empowers the Minister (in this case, the Minister of Manpower) to make additional regulations governing the employment of foreign manpower. These additional Regulations have the status of subsidiary legislation (also known as by-laws). That is, they have the force of law, but subordinate to the

23 11, 2011

Midnight rescue

alex2019-08-30T16:36:26+08:00November 23rd, 2011|Articles, Stories|

The midnight air was humid and still. Russell slid his car into the driveway fronting the block of flats marked for the rendezvous, turned off his headlights, and rolled down his window glass to listen intently to the sounds emanating from the block. Nothing unusual so far -- a bit of distant television, a mother