Articles

6 06, 2016

How dare you ask about injury compensation!

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00June 6th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Gek Han In sixteen years of working in Singapore, Islam Aminur has been diligent and careful, working without an accident. But luck turned against him in December 2015. A heavy, 20kg block of metal fell on his thumb, necessitating surgery at the National University Hospital (NUH). Aminur was given 25 days medical leave ("MC"). Following procedure, he

3 06, 2016

Dorm operator fined $300,000 for having 10% more occupants than allowed

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00June 3rd, 2016|Articles, Happenings|

KT Mesdorm Pte Ltd, the operator of a purpose-built dormitory in the Boon Lay area was recently fined $300,000 for having more than the permitted number of workers living there. Mesdorm pleaded guilty to 30 charges. It is the first dorm operator to be so prosecuted, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a press

2 06, 2016

The Cuff Road Project: how many men? how many meals?

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00June 2nd, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

The Cuff Road Project[i] (TCRP) serves many purposes. For starters, it fills the bellies of a large number of men who aren’t permitted to work under the terms of their Special Pass, or because of action taken by their employer to prevent them from working. Most of the men have filed a work injury claim

1 06, 2016

Research series: Recruitment costs

webmaster2020-01-30T19:17:14+08:00June 1st, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

The great majority of transnational migrant workers pay money in order to obtain jobs in other countries. The charges are often exorbitant. Most of the money goes to middlemen: agents in their own country or in destination countries, local recruiters and training centres (which often function as middlemen institutions). Some money may also be paid

29 05, 2016

Delay in being given treatment complicates Arjunan’s recovery

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 29th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

“God’s grace is with me”, says Arjunan with a smile, as he awaits an arduous legal procedure for injury compensation By Ranjana Raghunathan Arjunan has worked in Singapore since 2008. After four years in a company, he joined the current company in November 2014. His job involved plastering and painting of ship parts, but the

24 05, 2016

Monir falls from scaffolding into downsizing and debt

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 24th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Katia Barthelemy Things were going fine for Mia Monir, 25, from Bangladesh: he tells me he has been working for Kim Heng Marine for four years already with no major complaints from his side. But Monir’s story took a dramatic turn on 10 March 2016, showing that life can take unexpected, nasty slips, even if one

20 05, 2016

Uddin Mohi worked eight months, not paid for six

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 20th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Eugene Teo Many migrant workers see working in Singapore as a breadwinning opportunity, but is it really? Uddin Mohi, 23, will probably tell you there are huge risks. Uddin worked at a painting and plastering company, S.A.E. & C (S) Pte Ltd, from April 2015 till November 2015. Of the eight months that he spent

16 05, 2016

Forced repatriation can lead to death, needs to be addressed

alex2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 16th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

Three recent posts here at this site demonstrate that employers continue to try to forcibly repatriate foreign workers, despite workers having unresolved salary claims or untreated injuries. This practice inflicts a great injustice on them. The failure of the authorities to stop it can only lead to speculation about conscious neglect. Mark Lamb has an eye-witness account of

15 05, 2016

Do I stay and press my case, or give up and go?

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 15th, 2016|Articles, Happenings, Stories|

By Mark Lamb Thursday, 5 May 2016. "An emergency" whisks through the room where we're convening to discuss communication plans for Transient Workers Count Too. My barometer perks up but it is no time for self-interest as this appears to be a serious matter and one of immediate urgency. In a calm but pressing voice,

14 05, 2016

Over 80% of male foreign workers want to be paid through bank giro

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 14th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Introduction In March 2016, Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan told Parliament that the government was not prepared to make bank payment of foreign worker salaries mandatory. He gave a few reasons which the section 'Discussion' below will address. TWC2 felt it would be worthwhile to do a simple survey to check what male work