WICA & medical insurance

16 05, 2016

Forced repatriation can lead to death, needs to be addressed

alex2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 16th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis, News, Our Stand|

Three recent posts here at this site demonstrate that employers continue to try to forcibly repatriate foreign workers, despite workers having unresolved salary claims or untreated injuries. This practice inflicts a great injustice on them. The failure of the authorities to stop it can only lead to speculation about conscious neglect. Mark Lamb has an eye-witness account of

15 05, 2016

Do I stay and press my case, or give up and go?

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:02+08:00May 15th, 2016|Articles, Happenings, Stories|

By Mark Lamb Thursday, 5 May 2016. "An emergency" whisks through the room where we're convening to discuss communication plans for Transient Workers Count Too. My barometer perks up but it is no time for self-interest as this appears to be a serious matter and one of immediate urgency. In a calm but pressing voice,

25 04, 2016

Two years after accident, Lutfor Rahman still waiting for case conclusion

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:03+08:00April 25th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Kan Ren Jie I ask Lutfor Rahman how he is, and I am struck by his frank answer: ‘I now very bad. Now no job, makan got problem.’ While Rahman initially appears cheerful when I sit down and talk with him at TWC2's free meals programme, laughing at some of our jokes about girlfriends,

20 04, 2016

Four years after the accident, Abdus still waiting for injury compensation

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:03+08:00April 20th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Shona Mac It is a busy Monday evening at Transient Workers Count Too's Cuff Road Project and there is a throng of men queuing to receive a meal and milling around chatting to the team of volunteers. Abdus Salam is patiently waiting to speak to his TWC2 case worker who is currently busy with

12 03, 2016

Seeing rain clouds on a clear day

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:03+08:00March 12th, 2016|Articles, Stories|

By Lucas Sim All through my hour with Masud (not his real name), I was expecting him to say something like 'my boss don't want me to see doctor', or 'my boss don't want to pay for my treatment'. These are common complaints that volunteers like me hear from workers coming to Transient Workers Count

12 03, 2016

Too many claims for minor injuries

webmaster2019-08-30T16:32:21+08:00March 12th, 2016|Articles, Facts, research, analysis|

Most of the men who appeal to TWC2 for assistance have lost their jobs and left the company dormitory after suffering a workplace injury and lodging a claim for injury compensation. The majority of them come to TWC2 through the meal program known as The Cuff Road Project (TCRP). In 2015 alone, more than 1,129

12 12, 2015

Clinic-shopping while Alam bleeds away

alex2019-08-30T16:32:22+08:00December 12th, 2015|Articles, Stories|

"Boss say I must not talking (tell others) how I accident," Alam recounts of the first hours after his forearm was torn open. "He say I must explain like this: (that) I go canteen to makan (eat), and I fall down there." "He tell other workers, nobody must talking." But when Alam Mahbubul finally got

12 11, 2015

Even MOM thinks a broken arm deserves sick leave

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:23+08:00November 12th, 2015|Articles, Stories|

By William Chin You might think that a broken arm with 2 pins inserted would warrant a medical certificate (MC). Not so if you are treated by a certain Dr Tan -- TWC2 has her full name. Monir Shafi suffered a bad fall on 28 July 2015, which required treatment for his arm and back.

17 10, 2015

Broken bone in foot but no surgical intervention

Volunteer Writing Team2019-08-30T16:32:24+08:00October 17th, 2015|Articles, Stories|

By Samantha Ege “This leg, very big already,” Ali tells me, gesturing towards his noticeably swollen foot. On 23 February 2015, Ali was working as he would normally do, at a shipyard. He was dressed in the necessary protective gear, complete with brand new safety footwear. However, this was not enough to save his foot

13 10, 2015

Accident went unreported for 13 months, worker may not get compensation

alex2019-08-30T16:32:24+08:00October 13th, 2015|Articles, Stories|

Ramasamy Ayyasamy's left hand is now virtually useless for work. Three fingers are stiff and there is still a metal splinter inside his ring finger. It's not clear how he is going to continue earning an adequate income to feed his family. Yet, he is at risk of not receiving any compensation for the disability. His