Articles

28 10, 2016

Muthamilselvan thought he’d be taken to hospital. Fat chance.

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 28th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Vivek R It was a rainy day in Jurong Shipyard on Chinese New Year’s eve 2016. The worksite was particularly slippery as rain water coalesced with sand to turn the working grounds into slurry. But with the company falling behind on contract schedule, the work must go on. The day looked ominous but Muthamilselvan

24 10, 2016

Ataus loses his job after only nine days – and after he paid $3,800 for it

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 24th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Kan Ren Jie On 23 June 2016, Ataus Samad Rifat, 28, was suddenly fired from his job. "Go back home. Your work permit has been cancelled. We have already bought ticket." The ‘madam’ (the female administrative staff) at his office then proceeded to take his work permit from him. That was how Ataus described

21 10, 2016

Diluted Justice: Protection and redress for trafficked fishermen in Asia

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 21st, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Press Releases|

A joint research by Dr Sallie Yea and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) reveals that trafficked fishermen face insurmountable barriers to access legal and economic justice and protection. These barriers are caused by the following factors: significant gaps in measures for victim identification, a lack of coordinated support for the psycho-social needs and well-being of

20 10, 2016

Some workers get to cook, others have to put up with bad catered food

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 20th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, Stories|

Not your typical worker's meal By Seah Bei Ying Most of us have seen some Bangladeshi workers having their packed lunches in void decks in heartland areas. Where the lunch come from? Did they buy curry and rice from the nearby coffee shop for their everyday meals? If yes, then how much did their costs

16 10, 2016

Foreign workers chained by debt, governments have a moral duty to act

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 16th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, Stories|

By Kimberley Ng In recent years, Singapore’s slowing economy has meant fewer construction and marine sector jobs for migrant workers. What few might realise is that recruitment costs have risen prohibitively through the same period. The two are not unrelated: it is a matter of demand for work outstripping supply of jobs. Unfortunately neither the

11 10, 2016

Reflections: Access to medical care

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 11th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Most interns who spend 6 - 9 weeks with TWC2 are asked to wrap up their internship with an essay on a specific topic. Nikie spent May to July 2016 with us assisting with casework and the Labour Court Research Project. In the process, she came across many foreign workers who had difficulty getting the medical

7 10, 2016

Boss cancels worker’s surgery, worker loses flexibility and feeling in thumb

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 7th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Audrey Tan He took on a new job with high hopes, but now finds himself at the lowest point of his life. Ragunathan Kaliyarasan, 28, is jobless and struggling to recover after a workplace injury in March 2016. His predicament tells the story of a dismissive employer. “I want(ed) to land one job perfectly,”

4 10, 2016

Reflections: Housing and sustenance for Special Pass men

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00October 4th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Most interns who spend 6 - 9 weeks with TWC2 are asked to wrap up their internship with an essay on a specific topic. Moe spent April and May 2016 with us assisting with casework and the Cuff Road Project. In the process, he came across many foreign workers who had lost their jobs either

30 09, 2016

If “boss say carry more, I also cannot say no,” — Imran injures his back despite ministry’s safe load limit

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00September 30th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Teo Yi Ning It was only his third month working at a concrete casting company when Sheikh Mohammad Imran hurt his back. The concrete slab that he was carrying landed on his back when he lost his footing on a slippery floor at his worksite, leaving him with intolerable pain. He estimates that the

26 09, 2016

Islam Mahabub, injured, unable to work, fears for his children

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:59+08:00September 26th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, Stories|

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmuX0UUq5Jk Video by Nicole Ng, text by Colin Ng, with contributions by Alex Au For most construction workers like Islam Mahabub, a job here comes at a hefty price. Based on casual reports collected by TWC2 from among the thousands of workers we see each year, the cost of a job can range from $2,000