Type of issue: job placement, recruitment and costs
Shakib and Taher look for jobs
Two men had to look for new jobs. One was in Bangladesh and the other was in Singapore. Different outcomes.
Two men had to look for new jobs. One was in Bangladesh and the other was in Singapore. Different outcomes.
Although he has worked many years in Singapore before, Elyas arrives in Singapore in February 2022 for a new job. He tells us two interesting things about the recruitment process.
Borders are open and workers are coming back. So are the age-old abuses such as excessive recruitment fees and worker churn.
The public sector is a huge buyer of construction. That weight can be applied for good. Government projects should come with ethical labour requirements.
It is good to see MOM put out warnings to employers on Faceboook against taking kickbacks, but if previous cases are any guide, few complaints by workers get anywhere.
Boss and worker agreed to renew work permit, but renewal process got stuck. Another company laid claim to the worker; its IPA approved by the Manpower ministry.
A worker who came to Singapore in September 2021 gives us details of the pre-departure and post-arrival quarantines he had to serve.
It began when a worker said a company had gotten a Work Permit for him, except that he did not apply for a job there.
MOM announced a temporary retention scheme to keep laid-off construction workers in Singapore. Six workers kept us informed of their experience while waiting for new jobs.
Pilot programmes to bring in new batches of workers are being planned. We urge that details be thought through carefully and all workers be vaccinated.