Rana needed a small medical procedure to remove a wire implant that has outlived its usefulness. Bureaucracy and faulty government policy stood in the way.
In Singapore, we rush to digitise many things, but forget that in the process, groups of already-disadvantaged people get left further behind.
Qatar's minimum wage, Wage Protection System, dispute resolution and its Workers' Support and Insurance Fund. Not perfect, but far ahead of Singapore.
In a historic move, Qatar abolished its kafala system in August 2020. Workers can now change jobs without having to get permission from current employers.
Right before our noses, illegal job agents operate with impunity in Singapore itself, raking in loads of money. Employers offering jobs through these recruiters don't smell too clean either.
In the interest of justice, migrant workers should not be repatriated until their claims are fully heard and settled. Singapore promised this at the UN.
When an employee files a claim, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management plays two roles. Is there a conflict of interest between the two roles?
The minimum salary for S-Pass will be raised to $2,500 per month. That for Employment Pass to $4,500/month.
Injured workers who need to attend hospital follow-ups get caught in overly-strict rules about leaving their dorms for appointments. They might miss their doctor dates.
Head of Covid-19 Task Force Lawrence Wong says salaries should be paid. MOM says no need to pay.
