The Cuff Road Project
THE CUFF ROAD PROJECT
Since 2008, The Cuff Road Project (TCRP) has kept food on the table for workers in need. Around that time, we noticed some workers sleeping rough on the streets, struggling to meet basic needs.
Based in the Farrer Park area, TCRP is a free meal programme for migrant workers who are out of a job during the claims process. Eligible workers can register for a meal card with us. Every weekday evening, and on Saturday afternoons, card-holders collect meal tokens at our desk to redeem free meals at any of our 4 partner restaurants in the area. Workers also often seek advice and emotional support from our volunteers at TCRP.
Meal card and token for registered workers.
In 2025 alone, TCRP served 45.5k meals and supported 1088 workers. The statistics that we compile from the cases we see at TCRP give us an overall picture of the kinds of difficulties and the scale of exploitation and abuse workers suffer. This knowledge informs our advocacy work.
Migrant workers who are in dispute with their employers, or are injured, often lose their jobs and have no family here to fall back on.
Although the law requires employers to continue providing accommodation and food during this period, the reality is that many employers are resentful towards these workers filing claims. Getting employers to meet these obligations can be a difficult and slow process.
Workers queuing to consult with volunteers about their cases at TCRP.
Many workers are also breadwinners for their family; without an income, they face pressure from their families and anxieties about recruitment debts. Those with salary claims are often in financial distress, because they have already not been paid properly for months. Workers in this position often borrow from friends to meet basic needs, and face great pressures and uncertainty.
TWC2’s Cuff Road Project thus makes an important difference, and addresses the worker’s immediate needs, so that they can focus on resolving their problems.
Testimonials from workers
“My boss was nice for 1 month, after 1 month he was angry and he told me if cannot work, he will send me home. Debbie helped me contact the insurance company to get me my correct MC pay.”
Shakil was doing electrician work in a residential space, when he slipped from the ladder and broke his foot. He received the correct MC wages and lump-sum compensation with the assistance of volunteers at TCRP. On the week of his return to Bangladesh, he visited us to bid farewell and shared his plans: to buy some land in order to build a house for his wife and daughter, as well as a house for his parents.
“We come as foreign workers, didn’t bring our families here… When we get a problem, nobody can support. But when I get someone to support, like TWC2, that is when I feel like the family is here,”
In 2010, Shoriful experienced appendicitis and was sent back to Bangladesh by his boss, without any treatment in Singapore. Upon his return, however, Shoriful discovered he had to pay SG$3,500 in agent fees and was forced to sign a contract agreeing to the terms. When Shoriful refused, his former boss attempted to beat him and even filed a police report accusing Shoriful of turning violent and cheating his money.
TCRP provided him with key support, as we helped him seek treatment at Singapore General Hospital and worked on his salary claim case against his former employer. Now, he has a wife and two children back home. Shoriful does not want his daughter and son to endure the same experience, and is working hard to ensure they can go to school.
Shoriful still visits whenever he is available, even dropping by for occasions such as our anniversary celebrations of our Cuff Road Project in March 2024.