Type of issue: kickbacks and upfront monies
10
11, 2020
Sajalal and his shape-changing salary
What was Sajalal's salary? He couldn't be sure. We ask him to give us a history and it shines a light on some widespread employer practices.
19
08, 2020
Two jobs in succession, both end with salary non-payment… and there’s more
Akash had a salary problem in one job. He then found a new job. Eight months later, non-payment again. We learn of worse as the interview progresses.
2
08, 2020
Kibria and Selim held hostage by Singapore’s underground economy
Selim and Kibria, not paid for their previous jobs, are looking for new ones. They talk about inescapable demands for money from agents, supervisors and bosses.
27
07, 2020
Recruitment reform — what needs to be done
A short explainer about how corrupted the recruitment system has become for migrant workers and the two key measures needed to reform the eco-system.
18
07, 2020
“Have you got the $2,000 ready for me?”
$2,000 is cheap as far as recruiters' fees go, but just as easily lost. Razzak's story is unfortunately as common as dirty money in the migrant labour market.
1
05, 2020
The dorms are not the problem
An essay based on a talk given by Alex Au at a Labour Day webinar organised by Maruah in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic that badly affected migrant workers in Singapore.
6
01, 2020
Within one year, Moggi had to pay three times to get and keep his job
MOM ruled that Shamim's injury was not work-related. A co-worker's testimony might have played a part. Then the co-worker phoned Shamim and an interesting conversation ensured.
14
12, 2019
Contractor to major hotels defaults on salaries to cleaning crew
An inside look at work conditions, recruitment cost and deteriorating labour relations in a corner of the hospitality industry.
22
08, 2019
How do workers raise money to pay agents?
TWC2 volunteer Stefan dives deep into issues of loans, pawning, interest rates and repayment installments. Compared to the meagre salaries foreign workers in low-skill jobs earn, the numbers are disturbing.
27
05, 2019
More of here, less of there: Increase in repeat workers and fat profits for the underground job broker in Singapore
In this research study, TWC2 found that about 80% of South Asian workers were "repeat workers", a huge change from a few years ago. We also found that about half of them used a Singapore-based job broker to find a job. Typically, these are foreign workers themselves, not licensed employment agents. It's illicit but profitable.