It is against the law for employers and agents to retain another person's passport without "reasonable excuse". Passports Act, Section 47, subsection (5) says: 47 (5) If — (a) a person has or retains possession or control in Singapore of a foreign travel document; and (b) the person knows that the foreign travel document was

There is a common idea that migrant workers are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime in Singapore. When, in 2008, some residents in the Serangoon Gardens area expressed their opposition to a dormitory for migrant workers being set up in the neighbourhood, statements were made that it would be unsafe for children to travel

Foreign domestic workers (FDW) expressed high levels of satisfaction with working in Singapore, reported the Ministry of Manpower, based on a survey it conducted in 2010. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being 'extremely satisfied', about half of the FDWs indicated that they were "extremely satisfied" with working in Singapore. Similarly, employers

Singapore's Immigration Act specifies that persons overstaying their visas or equivalent permits are liable for judicial caning if they overstay by more than 90 days. There are exceptions pertaining to age. Women are also not caned.   Unlawful entry or presence in Singapore 15. — (1)  A person shall not remain in Singapore after the cancellation

The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) compiled this shadow report on Singapore for presentation to the United Nations committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Download this 2011 report (26 pages):     

Over the years, TWC2 has collected some figures relating to the issue of a weekly day off for domestic workers. --- Sunday Times, 28/7/2002: 'Most foreign maids happy working here' Dawn Wong and Lee Hui Chieh "More than half Filipinas interviewed had every Sunday off, and a handful, public holidays as well. Again, this was

One of the commonest reasons given by employers for not giving a day off to the domestic workers employed by them is “I might lose my security bond.” They say that their FDW (Foreign Domestic Worker) might run away or get pregnant, which would cause that to happen. On June 25, 2011, ‘Today’ published a

Foreign domestic workers in Singapore work an average of 14 hours per day, and only 12% have at least one day off per week. Employers who give their foreign domestic worker (FDW) a day off tend to couch it in terms of employment rights while those who do not give their maids a day off

TWC2 has worked with others to oppose trafficking since 2006. From our first involvement with this issue, we thought that it was vital for Singapore to change its official view of what trafficking is if it was to be countered effectively. The article below, from the March-April 2009 TWC2 Newsletter, was a response to questions

This report outlines the types of problems faced by low-wage migrant workers in Singapore working in the construction, shipyard, shipbuilding, cleaning and food services industries, in seeking redress when they are injured or mistreated.  The report describes the difficulty workers have in supporting themselves while awaiting the resolution of a claim, lack of means to hire