Labour relations

15 10, 2017

As Singapore goes cashless, dismantle structural barriers faced by foreign workers

webmaster2019-08-30T16:31:30+08:00October 15th, 2017|News, Our Stand|

In his National Day Rally speech on 20 August 2017, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about the need for greater efforts in migrating to cashless transactions. Subsequently, other ministers developed the point further. Transient Workers Count Too felt that it was important to ensure that whatever plans are drawn up, they should not inadvertently

28 09, 2017

Unpaid workers find company funds diverted

alex2019-08-30T16:31:30+08:00September 28th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

A boss was apologetic that he was unable to pay his employees their salaries on time. But what is interesting is the reason why he couldn't do so: he had to pay foreign worker levies to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) first. Below are key portions of a transcript of a meeting between the boss (who

10 09, 2017

Records of accidents are such a nuisance, aren’t they?

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:31+08:00September 10th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Namgay Choden, based on an interview in July 2017 With me this evening is Howlader Mohammod Selim, and he tells me about what happened in September 2016. Selim had suffered an accident at work, and was brought to Ng Teng Fong Hospital in Jurong East. After treatment, the doctor asked Selim whether he needed

5 09, 2017

A leap of faith goes four metres down

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:31+08:00September 5th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Liang Lei, based on an interview in June 2017 What would you do if you think that your job constitutes a breach of safety regulations? For foreign workers, even having a choice of action is regrettably often a luxury. The consequence of disobeying supervisors’ orders, however unsafe, can be the sack. As a result, many

27 08, 2017

A profile: Amin stays positive despite setbacks

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:31+08:00August 27th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Jonah Foong, based on an interview in June 2017 Across the world, foreign labour is often cheap, and their working conditions abysmal. Tales of starving, overworked, and unpaid workers are not unheard of – a simple google search will turn up stories of ‘modern slavery’ in places like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Over here

23 08, 2017

Alam’s one angry, kicking rooster

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:31+08:00August 23rd, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Beh Jing Yi, based on an interview in June 2017 It has been five months since Alam Md Khorshed received any medical leave wages from his employer. He estimates he is owed about $3,900. He has approached the Ministry of Manpower for help over this, he says, and meetings with his employer have been organised.

11 08, 2017

Noor worked nine months; never paid his proper salary

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:32+08:00August 11th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Marcus Chee, based on an interview in June 2017 Through nine months, Noor Mohammod was only given a meagre amount of $130 monthly by his employer, and the entirety of that money had to be allocated to pay a catering company so that he could get his daily meals. $130. That's all? I sit

21 07, 2017

Blackmail attempt at airport

GuestContributor2019-08-30T16:31:32+08:00July 21st, 2017|Articles, Stories|

Here's an account of an incident at Changi airport as a TWC2 volunteer accompanied Nagelli Mahendar Reddy to see him off. By Silvester Goh Last night, 29 June 2017, I accompanied injured worker Nagelli Mahender Reddy to Terminal 2 to catch his flight home to India. Flight TZ502 to Chennai was scheduled to depart at 10:45pm. Check-in

18 07, 2017

Employer demands worker return to work. Worker says he’s not well enough. Who’s right?

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:32+08:00July 18th, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Wahid Al Mamun, based on an interview in May 2017 Dipangka (not his real name) is of slight frame and voice. He shifts around gingerly on the plastic seat at TWC2's free meals programme. As I endeavour to coax the story of his injury out of him, I come to learn of a mutual misunderstanding

1 07, 2017

Kamroul waiting months for MRI, not allowed to work, no income

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:31:32+08:00July 1st, 2017|Articles, Stories|

By Sun Hanchen Hasan Kamroul was a marine trades worker, working at Benoi Shipyard. 7 December 2016 was supposed to be just another normal work night for him, but all changed several hours into his shift. Having been tasked to move some 26-inch pipes with two of his fellow workers, Kamroul set about doing his