Employment agents, agent fees
20
06, 2023
Here for 46 days, worked for 24
Ponmugan spoke no English. His only experience of work was as a casual day labourer. What happens when he's thrown into our bureaucratic workstyle.
14
06, 2023
How ‘lip service’ sends business to illegal recruiters
We were glad that MOM re-affirmed ministers' statements that workers with valid salary claims will get permission to transfer to new jobs, but how does it work in practice?
18
05, 2023
Blue-collar recruitment platform ready to fly
A start-up developing a low-cost recruitment platform showed TWC2 their model and asked for our views. We were encouraged by what we saw.
13
05, 2023
Human trafficking: Another case of contract substitution
Mithon's story is one of overcharging and deception, with clear indications of human trafficking. MOM's response is one of helping him get back a little bit of money. That's all.
26
03, 2023
Covid is over, let’s extract money from migrant workers again, part 2
Border closures during Covid-19 disrupted the supply-demand equation for migrant workers. A year after borders re-opened, we speak with three re-migrating workers: how much did you pay to get your jobs?
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?
18
03, 2023
Rescuing Nony
A domestic worker called for help. Soon after, her phone connection fell silent and we feared the worst. But where was she? How to locate her?
2
01, 2023
Job search: a clash of operating systems
We heard that two years ago, a worker was penalised for being involved with recruitment, though he protested his innocence. This tiny tale tells us a a much bigger story.
23
12, 2022
For an experienced worker, some things improve, others remain the same
Khan got his latest job without paying an agent's fee, but he was still faced with an unreasonable and bullying employer. What are the reasons that produce such outcomes?
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.