Facts, research, analysis

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

16 08, 2016

One in three foreign workers still not getting itemised payslips

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:00+08:00August 16th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Of over 500 Indian and Bangladeshi workers surveyed recently by Transient Workers Count Too, one in three reported that they were not getting itemised payslips from their employers. This represents quite a high degree of non-compliance with the Ministry of Manpower's new rule that took effect 1 April 2016. The survey reached a total of

6 07, 2016

Foreign domestic workers’ living conditions survey – full results

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:01+08:00July 6th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Transient Workers Count Too found that 5% of foreign domestic workers had to share their sleeping space with a male teenager or adult. This is against written law, with a possible fine of up to $10,000. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) confirmed this when the ministry responded to a query by the Straits Times.

2 07, 2016

Another source of trouble for workers: their own lawyers

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:01+08:00July 2nd, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, Stories|

https://youtu.be/E9XzomE5SlE In the above video, Rashid Harun explains why he discharged his lawyer. He had suffered a workplace injury and engaged a lawyer for his WICA compensation claim. His employer argued that the accident did not take place at work but that he fell while he was in a lavatory (at the worksite). His

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

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

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

10 04, 2016

TWC2 makes submission regarding proposed Employment Claims Tribunal

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:03+08:00April 10th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

In February 2016, the Ministry of Manpower invited public feedback on the proposed Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT). The call for feedback can be seen at this link on the Reach website. Key points in the proposal include: ECT to be a tribunal under the State Courts, similar to Small Claims Court; ECT to handle all

12 03, 2016

Too many claims for minor injuries

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:21+08:00March 12th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Most of the men who appeal to TWC2 for assistance have lost their jobs and left the company dormitory after suffering a workplace injury and lodging a claim for injury compensation. The majority of them come to TWC2 through the meal program known as The Cuff Road Project (TCRP). In 2015 alone, more than 1,129