Articles

30 09, 2018

Lack of functioning transfer market makes skills retention elusive

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:30:47+08:00September 30th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

By Alston Ng, based on interviews in June 2018 About a month ago when Rifat (not his real name) showed up at TWC2, he was evidently distressed by the prospect of repatriation. Having resolved a salary dispute with his former employer, Rifat was left to his own devices as he embarked on a so-far unsuccessful

26 09, 2018

Toes are cheap

webmaster2019-08-30T16:30:47+08:00September 26th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

Polash is well-dressed and carries himself with self-assurance. He's been a responsible son for ten years, working in Singapore supporting his parents, brother and sister in Bangladesh. But now he's in limbo, waiting for his injury compensation claim to conclude. Your writer looks at him more closely, but cannot tell where he's been injured. "Three

21 09, 2018

Government made Rony stay in Singapore, his marriage destroyed

webmaster2019-08-30T16:30:47+08:00September 21st, 2018|Articles, Stories|

In the second half of 2017, Sikdar Rony lodged two complaints with the Ministry of Manpower. One was over unpaid salary and the other was about having been made to pay a kickback in order to get a job transfer. His unpaid salary case eventually went against him. His evidence was rather incomplete and he

18 09, 2018

Hired as scaffolder, safety-trained as painter, made to work as grinder

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:30:47+08:00September 18th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

By Koh Jie Min, based on an interview in June 2018 Balal comes across as soft spoken when I meet him for this interview. He gives me a wry smile as he points to two long, white scars on his fingers, and recounts his tale. It’s a not unheard-of story: Leaving his wife and two

15 09, 2018

For men from a poor country, choice is a mirage

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:30:47+08:00September 15th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

In June 2018, TWC2 volunteer Alston Ng went around asking Bangladeshi workers, "Why did you choose to come to Singapore to work?" The words “neoliberal capitalism” are rarely heard in Singapore, but its message has nonetheless found a faithful following among Singaporeans. Markets are best optimised when left to run by itself, because the exercise

11 09, 2018

The thing that most irks him? “MOM take my passport”

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:02+08:00September 11th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

By Ng Zuxiang, based on an interview in July 2018 You have a carefully trimmed goatee. You are 26 years old. You have come from Bangladesh to Singapore as the job opportunities and pay here would likely be better than at home. You came to earn a living on which your family back home can

7 09, 2018

Policy brief 2018, no. 3: Require standard employment contracts

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:02+08:00September 7th, 2018|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

In the third of our policy briefs for 2018, Transient Workers Count Too recommends that it should be mandatory for work permit holders to first sign a Standard Employment Contract (SEC) even before a work permit application is made. The SEC should set out all the key employment terms, and these should be in accordance

3 09, 2018

Listen as peeved MOM officer flames out in phone call

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:02+08:00September 3rd, 2018|Articles, Stories|

A purpose-built commercial dormitory - file photo Bangladeshi worker Rimon (not his real name) received this phone call (audio below) from a case officer of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). As you will hear, the officer was telling Rimon off for not returning to the company dormitory as earlier instructed. As penalty for

30 08, 2018

“Too late, no claim”. Miah Uzzah heads home with five years of losses

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:02+08:00August 30th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

By Grace Chua, based on an interview in June 2018 Miah Md Uzzal is heading home. In the previous few weeks, he was on a mission to seek compensation for the salary underpayment he suffered for five years. Sitting at one of the restaurants that provide TWC2's clients with free meals, Miah appears easy-going and

26 08, 2018

Akther, absent doctor and absent rights

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:02+08:00August 26th, 2018|Articles, Stories|

By Zhan Nanxin, based on an interview in April 2018 Akther, a young looking construction worker, sits down at TWC2's free meals station for the first time, with a serious looking injury. Like many, Akther came from Bangladesh to Singapore in hope of being able to remit money back home to support his family –