Two workers shared with us how much they borrowed to fund their recruitment. They also laid out their repayment schedules. With a bit of math, a stunning picture emerges.
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.
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?
Six worker cases illustrate how Singapore's work permit system constrains the freedom of workers to refuse a job, putting them at risk of having to serve an employer against their will.
For his first job in Singapore, Hossain Imran had to fork out $20,000. For his latest job, he dealt directly with his prospective employer. His experience tells us what recruitment reform should look like.
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.
