Singapore is facing a migrant labour cruch that is many times worse than what we experienced during Covid, albeit that it may be 20 years away. But we're not mentally ready to prepare and adapt.
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?
We came across an interesting comment on the website of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). It sounded stern even if shrouded in diplomatic language.
Why is bad food for migrant workers such an intractable issue? Because it is a complex one that requires policy overhaul from the top, but policy overhaul requires an admission that current policy is failing.
In April 2023, the Straits Times reported on the leaving of food packets beside roadways and in open fields – food meant for migrant workers; we say the catering system will never work.
To a Parliamentary question, the Manpower Minister revealed how little his ministry did over rest day pay violations. He also revealed the stunningly employer-forgiving attitude his ministry adopts even when violations are found.
Singapore says it is committed to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our report examines what the reality of our migrant labour scene says about implementation and progress.
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.
The government announced new rules to improve safety and welfare for workers carried on the backs of lorries. We couldn't find anything meaningful among the new measures.
On 24 June 2022, MOM retired the Exit Pass system and workers could go out freely. And still workers were calling TWC2 saying they were confined. What does this say about policy effectiveness?
