Articles

15 01, 2017

TWC2 survey: starting salaries for migrant workers flatlined for the last 10 years

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00January 15th, 2017|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Starting basic salaries for first-time workers from India and Bangladesh have remained more or less static since 2006, averaging slightly under Singapore dollars 600 per month. However, when adjusted for inflation, a downward trend is seen, and thus, in terms of Singapore purchasing power, average basic salaries have declined about 20% since 2006. The above

11 01, 2017

How the rich get richer, the poor get poorer: Mondol’s experience

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00January 11th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

One of the major themes when analysing the current crisis of neoliberal capitalism is the way economic rent has run amuck, exacerbating the rich-poor divide. Economic rent is the profit extracted by a party who has access to a resource that others do not have and which others feel they need. That party does not

6 01, 2017

Looking for someone with a happy story, but found Mia Mukles

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00January 6th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Lim Jia Ren I wove my way through the busy crowd on Dunlop Street, doubling my pace as I lugged my bag clumsily after me, hoping not to leave the first impression of being a latecomer. Being an amateur ‘reporter’ only one session old, I was still adjusting to the unfamiliar environment of our

2 01, 2017

‘This is so real’: Reflections on 32 months with The Cuff Road Project

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00January 2nd, 2017|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

By Shona Loong It is Saturday, 17 September 2016: Tito is in tears. He is being sent home after just six months in Singapore. His boss has bought him a plane ticket for this evening. This is already an extension of sorts: three days ago, his work-permit was cancelled and he was made to board

26 12, 2016

MOM’s Labour Court skirted with enforcing an illegal ‘contract’

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00December 26th, 2016|Articles, News, Our Stand, Stories|

Volunteers at TWC2 were alarmed to hear from Sohel Rana, in mid July 2016, that the Assistant Commissioner of Labour presiding over his Labour Court case might be planning to rule in a manner contrary to written law. It would seriously undermine his claim and set an extremely bad precedent. Md Sohel Rana's case had

24 12, 2016

This season of giving

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:35+08:00December 24th, 2016|Articles, Happenings|

Transient Workers Count Too was happily surprised when two unexpected donations came in in the days leading up to Christmas. Vidula (below, at left) brought a cheque for $10,000 -- money she raised by baking 200 cakes and selling them to her friends and contacts. It must have been a hectic few weeks for her.

22 12, 2016

Father injured, son’s college hopes in peril

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:36+08:00December 22nd, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Poh De Sheng Perhaps the chief reason foreign workers come to Singapore is the comparatively higher salaries on offer. Men will endure the hardship of separation, crowded living conditions and abominable hours of physical labour in the hope, not just of helping their families at home get by, but of helping their children and siblings

18 12, 2016

Held in windowless room, Shahjahan faced forced repatriation. TWC2 rescues him

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:36+08:00December 18th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

800 By Kimberley Ng Kept in a windowless room with three company representatives patrolling outside and the imminent threat of forced deportation looming over his head, Molla Shahjahan called TWC2 for help. At 11 on the morning of 7 June 2016, Shahjahan had just been discharged after three nights’ stay at Alexandra Hospital following a debilitating

15 12, 2016

Dr Strange, Indian food, lots of heart and money raised.

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:36+08:00December 15th, 2016|Articles, Happenings|

Beginning in 2012, TWC2 treated foreign workers to a nice meal at its annual fund raising event. This year, for a change, we took them to a movie. So Lunch With Heart becomes @theMovie on Sunday 4 December 2016. The film: superhero blockbuster Dr Strange. The venue: The Projector, an independent cinema that TWC2 rented

13 12, 2016

By being obstructive over initial treatment, Hosen’s employer may end up paying more medical costs

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:36+08:00December 13th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Nadira Mohd Iesham Except for the first day, Hosen Mobarak has had to fight to get medical treatment. He has not always succeeded. What began as a broken fingernail ended up requiring surgery -- which, from the sequence of events narrated to me, appears to be a consequence of the employer's obstructive tactics. As