News and opinions in the public domain and TWC2’s response
In a special report on November 4, 2011, the Straits Times put the spotlight on a disturbing development: bosses who use their foreign workers to gamble vicariously at casinos. Employers typically provide each worker with $500 as seed money for the day. Winnings go back to the employer, except for 10 percent which is the
Thirteen workers died after falls from height during the first six months of the year, up from nine during the same period last year, reported the Straits Times on November 4, 2011. Falling from roofs led to three lives lost between January and June this year, compared with two for the whole of last year.
"You cannot choose your food... I will decide the type of food to buy for you. You cannot use the washing machine or dryer... you must hand wash your own clothes and bed sheets. And if (the children) fall down, it's your fault" – CNN cites this as one of the house rules laid down
In answer to a question by People's Action Party backbencher Fatimah Lateef about housing male foreign workers, Minister of State for Manpower, Tan Chuan-jin said his ministry was expediting the construction of more dormitories. He also revealed that there were 670,000 male work permit holders at the present time. In Parliament, October 20, 2011:
Chinese-language morning daily Lianhe Zaobao devoted a half page to Transient Workers Count Too in their edition of Monday, October 31, 2011. Describing TWC2 as an organisation that extends a helping hand to migrant workers, the story opened with an interesting, yet important perspective: That fair treatment of guest workers is not just a matter
For immediate release, 29 October 2011 Dr Vincent Wijeysingha has resigned of his own accord from his position as Executive Director of TWC2 with effect from 30 October 2011. The Executive Committee understands that he wishes to pursue other paths and areas of interest, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
By Spiegel A young man from Bangladesh was found hanged in his dormitory room in Kaki Bukit on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at about 6 p.m. Paramedics were called, but the man was pronounced dead. The Straits Times reported that he worked for "a company that deals with construction, repairs and interior decoration." However, TWC2's
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that it plans to amend the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) to raise employment standards and the well-being of foreign workers. However, no details were announced in the statement released on October 11, 2011 – the ministry's addendum to the President's Address marking the opening of the new
A boss of a construction firm pleaded guilty on October 11, 2011, to ten charges of obtaining kickbacks from foreign employees. This was in violation of the law that prohibited employers of foreign workers from demanding or receiving any benefit for hiring them. Kenneth Lim Ong Long also pleaded guilty to making false declarations to
An employer who failed to pay wages to 73 foreign workers on time had his four-week jail sentence affirmed by an appeal court. The unpaid salaries ranged from two to seven months' worth. The Straits Times reported that Lee Chiang Theng, 58, sole director of Goldrich Venture and Gates Offshore, had pleaded guilty last year
