Interesting updates related to migrant worker issues
"Foul-smelling curry, rock-solid fish with scales still intact..." -- this was how Today newspaper opened its story (titled "Foreign workers served 'unappetising, stale food'", 19 March 2015) on the poor quality of food that foreign workers get. The story referred primarily to male workers at construction sites. Based on an on-going survey by researchers from
In 2014, about 88 percent of TWC2's spending went towards charitable activities, benefitting our clients in a relatively direct way. Total expenditure in the year was $463,025, leaving us with a surplus of $108,203 from the year's income of $571,228. About 94 percent of this income came from voluntary donations, with much of the balance
Once in a while an anonymous Singaporean posts something nice about migrant workers. Here, a little tale that first appeared on Singapore Stomp: This is the link to the original.
Four people died in a relatively small fire that broke out in a shophouse used as a dormitory for workers from China, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia. The fire was reported at about 1:40am on Saturday, 6 December 2014, and put out within 30 minutes. The Straits Times and The New Paper carried the news in
A mere two days after the Straits Times featured with some praise two workers' dormitories converted from industrial premises (see Dorms converted from industrial premises said to be 'adequate'), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) banned new conversions within twelve areas. In a circular dated 14 November, the URA said no new workers'dormitories will be allowed
The Straits Times reported 12 Nov 2014 that the Ministry of Manpower found "adequate conditions" in two workers' dormitories they recently inspected. These two were converted from industrial premises located in the Joo Koon area. Inspectors found "clean bedrooms and bathrooms, and facilities such as a gym and TV sets" in these premises. One of
The Facebook post by Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan 11 November 2014 (click thumbnail at right) titled 'Joint exercise with Police, SCDF & foreign worker ambassadors' accompanied by eight photographs does a great disservice to migrant workers who have played such an important role in building Singapore, especially those of South Asian origin
Buried within an announcement about a new minimum percentage of higher-skilled workers in construction firms, the Ministry of Manpower also announced that work permit construction workers will be able to move to new jobs at the end of their work permit periods without first having to go home. This new policy will take effect from
A former director of a ship manning agency has been charged in a Filipino court with human trafficking and illegal recruitment, the Sunday Times reported on 21 September 2014. However, he appears to be still in Singapore, and there is no extradition treaty between Singapore and the Philippines. Victor Lim, formerly of Step Up Marine
In a move with little warning, the government of Myanmar (Burma) has imposed a five-month ban on its citizens coming to Singapore for domestic work. This was reported in the Straits Times (13 September 2014). The ban was reportedly due to concerns over ill-treatment and abuse, the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation (MOEAF) said. An official
