News and opinions in the public domain and TWC2’s response
Improvement in housing should be only one element in a broader reforms, if we are to arrive at a more ethical relationship with migrant labour. Job restrictions, low salaries, etc, must also be addressed.
An engineer floated the concept of building mega-dormitories over the sea, each with a "small-town centre", to minimise migrant workers' entry into our downtown and Singaporean spaces. What do we say to that?
Domestic workers have been "advised" to stay in employers' residences during their rest days since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. No end in sight. What about those who have to live with abusive employers?
With support from Facebook and Community Foundation of Singapore, TWC2 tops up migrant workers' phones in time for Eid al-fitr. In total, the campaign spent nearly $1 million to help about workers stuck in quarantine and lockdown.
Here's a figure: There are 66,000 employers of S-Pass and Work Permit holders as at April 2020. And workers with bank accounts now number 521,000, which seems to be 77.5%. Numbers exclude FDWs.
In a media statement dated 13 April 2020 (links to short version and long version) we pointed out that an entire section of the Ministry of Manpower's Advisory on salary and leave arrangements during Circuit Breaker was not only unclear, but seemed to bless salary reductions for foreign workers. "Circuit Breaker" is the
TWC2's statement to mark International Labour Day -- 1 May 2020
Covid-19 cases rise dramatically in Qatar in April 2020. Majority said to be from among "expatriates" -- a term that includes low-wage migrant workers packed densely in worker accommodation.
News flash: Between 16 and 22 April, nearly 94% of new Covid-19 infections were reported from worker dormitories. S11 in Punggol is by far the largest cluster.
Some employers impose penalties for workers falling sick In these Covid-19 times, this is a dangerous practice. Such company polices must be stamped out for good.
