Employment agents, agent fees
27
11, 2023
Liton the usual
Shipyard worker Liton comes to TWC2 for the first time. It takes only minutes before we hear the usual issues, including that he had to pay for his job.
13
11, 2023
Bangladeshi workers to get 5 percent incentive for their remittances
The Bangladesh authorities are giving top-ups of five percent to every remittance sent home. It seems very generous. But there is one unintended consequence. Did anyone foresee it?
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.