Salary issues rank among the top problems workers come to TWC2 for help with. But shoddy or absent payslips make salary issues hard to solve. This is despite the fact that legal requirements are clear.
It's been the rule for years now, but we keep seeing workers who were paid in cash rather than through bank accounts. Is there any enforcement?
We stake stock whether more workers now have bank accounts, and what kinds of bank cards are issued to them. Clear improvement since 2016.
We came across an interesting comment on the website of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It sounded stern even if shrouded in diplomatic language.
Is it common to underpay workers in construction and related trades for working on their usual days-off? We ran a survey to find out, and were rather taken aback at the results.
Singapore's Employment Act has a blurry bifurcation re pay entitlement for working on a rest day. It permits employers to exploit workers, especially low-wage ones with little bargaining power.
In recent weeks, TWC2 came across two workers with contracts they felt compelled to sign after they had begun working in their companies. They felt volated by the unfair terms imposed on them.
Although a stern warning is not supposed to affect "legal rights, interests, or liabilities" we found that it's not quite true when issued to migrant workers. The effects therefore constitute punishment without due process.
Farhad did not agree to renewal of his permit after 3 years in the company. Under the regulations, he had a right to look for another company. but this right was effectively denied him.
In January 2023, some migrant workers will enjoy a three-day stretch of holidays, on account of Chinese New Year. There will be many who will not.
