Discussion: economics of labour migration
5
06, 2023
Foreign workforce numbers, 2022
Latest figures from the Ministry of Manpower show how the numbers of foreign workers have more than bounced back since Covid-19.
30
05, 2023
Food left outside dorms while serious thinking left outside minds, part 2
Why is bad food for migrant workers such an intractable issue? Because it is a complex one that requires policy overhaul from the top, but policy overhaul requires an admission that current policy is failing.
30
05, 2023
Food left outside dorms while serious thinking left outside minds, part 1
In April 2023, the Straits Times reported on the leaving of food packets beside roadways and in open fields – food meant for migrant workers; we say the catering system will never work.
7
05, 2023
The price of labour migration: dreadful catered meals
Our volunteer spent two months interviewing workers seeking their perspective on the meals they get in the dormitories. Choice is an unknown concept.
20
04, 2023
Hang it on the dormitory wall
Asad is propably overqualified to be a work permit holder in Singapore. Why is he even here? He explains his rationale, and yup, it's totally logical.
22
03, 2023
Covid is over, let’s extract money from migrant workers again, part 1
Border closures during Covid-19 disrupted the supply-demand equation for migrant workers. A year after borders re-opened, we speak with three first-time workers: how much did you pay to get your jobs?
13
02, 2023
After 22 years in Singapore, a career ends
Selvakumar has spent almost all his working life in Singapore. Does he feel much better off now than when he first came?
27
01, 2023
Two generations of migrant workers
Two sons tell us what their fathers' basic wages were when the latter were working in Singapore. An older worker tells us what his starting salary was over twenty years ago, and what his current salary is today.
5
01, 2023
Two loans and their interest rates
Two workers shared with us how much they borrowed to fund their recruitment. They also laid out their repayment schedules. With a bit of math, a stunning picture emerges.
22
10, 2022
Labour crunch during pandemic reveals hopeful possibilities for recruitment cost
When the construction industry faced a severe manpower shortage due to Covid-19 border closures, a funny thing happened to recruitment costs. Knowing the phenomenon would be ephemeral, a snapshot study was conducted.