Articles

16 09, 2014

Lifting supervisor dropped by company after he took a stand

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 16th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Fuxiong The banana was meant to be eaten, but in telling me his story, Shamsuddoha was waving it and hitting the table with it. It was soon bruised. He was too agitated to eat, particularly when he recounted the moment when he confronted his site manager. "Then who is responsible if accident happening during

15 09, 2014

Overhauling Singapore’s migrant labour system – an alternative plan

alex2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 15th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

By Alex Au Many stories on the website of Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) tell of the abuses inflicted on migrant workers in Singapore. TWC2 holds the view that the regulatory system governing the recruitment and control of foreign labour lies at the root of these abuses. Fortunately, many employers refrain from taking full advantage

13 09, 2014

Through Singapore employer, lured to Cambodia with fake job offer

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 13th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Nissa Mai The flight from Singapore to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, wasn't long — just under two hours — but for Margarette, the journey represented a whole new beginning, a fresh take on life. After years of domestic labor, she was finally going to begin her career in the hospitality line. Margarette, a Filipina national,

11 09, 2014

From sharks to ice-cream via peace, love and sponsorship

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:02+08:00September 11th, 2014|Articles, Happenings|

By TK “Wow…… surprise. Very nice place. We will enjoy the place very much,” exclaimed Amir Khan, when he heard that Discover Singapore would be organizing an outing to Sentosa S.E.A. aquarium. Since the launch of Discover Singapore in May 2013, outing destinations have typically been free public spaces such as parks, gardens and beaches.

10 09, 2014

About 70,000 workers live on construction sites

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 10th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, News Flash, Our Stand|

Manpower minister Tan Chuan-jin told parliament through a written reply that about 70,000 workers (presumably male construction workers) live in temporary housing located at construction sites. Most foreign workers live in purpose-built dormitories but around 20 per cent - or 70,000 - live on construction sites. The figures were released on Tuesday in a written

10 09, 2014

26 to 40 percent of male workers suffer illegal ‘savings money’ deduction

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 10th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

A new survey of nearly three hundred male migrant workers found that 26 to 40 percent of them suffered a pay deduction commonly known as 'savings money' -- roughly one in three workers. The deduction averaged $50 a month. An earlier survey (see: One third of male migrant workers aren't paid what they are due)

9 09, 2014

Your condition is serious, you must go to hospital, says polyclinic. “I no money,” says Kamal

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 9th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Stéphanie Psarski This testimony is a very good and heart warming example of how, to workers, Transient Workers Count Too makes a difference even in the tiniest thing. Injured on his back in July 2012, Kamal Mostafa has been waiting in Singapore for his case to be settled by MOM for two years. Not

7 09, 2014

Lebanese court rules that employer must return domestic worker’s passport

webmaster2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 7th, 2014|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, Media Coverage, News|

With permission from The Legal Agenda, TWC2 is pleased to reproduce an article from their English website discussing an important court ruling, recently announced in Beirut, Lebanon. The ruling discusses major issues: challenging the widespread practice of withholding passports the problematic nature of the sponsorship system violation of fundamental right to freedom of movement debunk the

6 09, 2014

Genius Engineering, part 2: Latif’s opinion of Singapore takes a dive

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 6th, 2014|Articles, Stories|

By Isabel Chew “Before I always think Singaporean very good but today I see I cannot take it lah. Because salary don’t give.” As I wrap up my interview with Latif, the morose Bangladeshi worker shares with me his feelings about the seemingly hopeless situation. He has not been paid in three months, and is

3 09, 2014

Genius Engineering, part 1: the first group comes to TWC2

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:33:03+08:00September 3rd, 2014|Articles, Stories|

A large group of workers from Genius Engineering approached TWC2 for help over salary non-payment. Volunteer Meera Rajah meets two of them. By Meera Rajah “Next week… next week… wait”, Rafiqul and Hossain are now – unfortunately – accustomed to this unvarying refrain. It has been three months and four days since they last received