News and opinions in the public domain and TWC2’s response
In response to the Ministry of Manpower's call for public feedback on the "second phase" of proposed changes to the Employment Act (EA) and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), Transient Workers Count Too submitted a 39-page document on 30 October 2013 arguing for a long list of needed improvements. Some proposals urge amendments
By Marifel Mosquera Teresita (Terry) is the newly hired helper of Lim Family from the Province of Iloilo in the Philippines. Like most of the women who come to Singapore as domestic workers, she is looking to better her life and climb out of poverty. The film is about her relationship and struggle with one
As published in the Straits Times Opinion pages on 21 October 2013, by John Gee. --- Why S'pore needs anti-trafficking laws District Judge Low Wee Ping was very forthright in his comments on Sept 12 when he sentenced four men who had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. "What you and similar offenders have participated
Bangladeshi cleaners in Ang Mo Kio town helped two elderly residents escape a fire in their second-floor flat, reported the Straits Times, 19 October 2013. The fire apparently made it impossible to leave by the front door, and the four occupants of the rental flat had only the kitchen window to safety. Two leapt out,
Transient Workers Count Too believes that the present system wherein workers' work permits are tied to employers with little scope for transfer is an unhealthy state of affairs. TWC2 would like to see the system changed to one where the general rule is that work permit holders have a right to change jobs within their
This statement clarifies the stand of Transient Workers Count Too with respect to the provision of accommodation to workers who have been placed on Special Passes, as a consequence of a salary dispute, illness or injury. Specifically, the reference is to workers who had once been on Work Permits, or had been in line for
Straits Times, 14 October 2013, has a story on page 3 headlined "Some runaway workers fake their injuries, say bosses". The newspaper said that some employers contacted it last month, after it published a story on injured workers running away from dormitories. ST interviewed bosses of more than 30 firms in the marine and construction
"You see my IPA," says Shipon as he leaves through a whole sheath of papers. "It say here my salary one month $650." The 'IPA' is the In-principle approval for a work permit and contains the terms of employment that the employer declares to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) at the time of applying for
A tower crane accident left two construction workers dead, Monday 30 September 2013. Bangladeshi Ronju Ahmmed, 28, and an unnamed Thai national lost their lives when the crane crumpled down. It had been lifting an excavator when the accident happened. Concrete blocks making up its counterweight fell onto the worksite. The Straits Times reported (1
The Sunday Times did a full page feature (22 Sept 2013) on Cambodian maids joining the Singapore work force. The first few have arrived and an estimated 400 is expected to be here by the end of the 2013. The story indicated that they can expect a monthly salary of $450, and should be able
