• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

MOM to meet with employer of stranded foreign workers

by onlinecitizen
20/12/2008
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0

The following is the latest update by the good-hearted Singaporean (GHS) who’s been helping out and keeping tab on the situation with the 179 stranded Bangladeshi workers. Read his earlier update here. TOC thanks GHS for providing us with the updates.

I went down yesterday with more donations, and took one of them shopping for the necessities they need. Apparently, someone also came down yesterday and passed everyone $100 each. But I told them in lieu of the uncertainties not to spend them too soon. There were also two people who had minor accidents over the past few months and who didn’t know they could most likely claim medical insurance or something like that either from their bosses or MOM.

The good news is Hand to Hand, a Muslim organisation with vast experience in helping foreign workers is now involved. The founder, an old feisty lady in a wheelchair came down personally and spoke to them, and inspired them not to give up hope. (She was in hospital past two days, and came down the moment she was discharged) We all can learn from her.

What we know is that as of today (saturday), MOM will have a meeting with the subcontractor and the boss of Tipper. The workers had expressed their refusal to move unless they were paid the salary owned to them for the past two months. I believe that they will be paid eventually, now that MOM and Hand to Hand is involved. You just don’t mess with feisty old women. lol.

The bad news is, even after the pay issue is settled, they may not have work to do, and I guess some, if not most of them will have to be asked to leave once their work permit expires. I know of other heresays regarding this, but until it is verified and set in stone, no point speculating.

At this moment, I feel that we should be cautious with the donations. No point donating too many things if the workers may not stay here for long. We need to monitor the situation further. There is a chance that the workers will get work early next year, maybe March, and if they start running out of basic necessities, it is not too late by then to chip in. But for those who intend to donate nonetheless, or have donated, don’t worry. If you give to TWC2 it is for a very good cause. You may not be helping these dudes, but other workers will benefit. As we know TWC2 is a non-profit organisation and need all the funds they can muster.

To clear up some of misconceptions, I find at the comments section (in the earlier reports here and here):

I asked them why they still came in spite of all the unfair treatment. They had to borrow money from the Dakar bank to pay for the agents’ fee. Ultimately, what they make here in a day is still more than what they make back in Bangladesh in two weeks. When you look at it from that angle, won’t you also prefer to work overseas, despite the unfavorable conditions? Of course, what I find difficult to bear is that the sub con probably took a huge cut from each of the workers, though they didn’t know much… this is sheer profiteering, and irresponsibility when things turn sour. (eg – not taking responsibility for medical claims) But this is just pure speculation.

The workers also feel that the Singpore Labor Law is quite skewed in favor of the employers. I didn’t say much regarding this as I know very little. What needs to be done is really relook at the labor laws and see how workers can be further protected from such cases.

Lastly, I thank all the people who had expressed concern at the situation of the workers. As for those who do nothing but spew words of anger and unsympathy because they had it worse before, I’d like to thank you too (you know who you are). You made everyone realize why inhumane acts like this can still occur on a regular basis.

——-

*** See related posts

 

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Singapore warns slower economic growth in 2023
Labour

Less than 1 in 10 jobs created in first three quarters of 2022 went to Singaporeans?

28/01/2023
Peru Congress rejects president’s plan for early elections
AFP

Peru Congress rejects president’s plan for early elections

28/01/2023
UMNO purging members as it sacks former health minister Khairy and suspended ex-defence minister Hishammuddin
Malaysia

UMNO purging members as it sacks former health minister Khairy and suspended ex-defence minister Hishammuddin

28/01/2023
WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status
AFP

WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status

27/01/2023
AFP

Two years after Myanmar coup, UN says situation ‘catastrophic’

27/01/2023
Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health
Community

Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health

27/01/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Singapore warns slower economic growth in 2023

Less than 1 in 10 jobs created in first three quarters of 2022 went to Singaporeans?

28/01/2023
Peru Congress rejects president’s plan for early elections

Peru Congress rejects president’s plan for early elections

28/01/2023
UMNO purging members as it sacks former health minister Khairy and suspended ex-defence minister Hishammuddin

UMNO purging members as it sacks former health minister Khairy and suspended ex-defence minister Hishammuddin

28/01/2023
WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status

WHO panel in talks on COVID emergency status

27/01/2023

Two years after Myanmar coup, UN says situation ‘catastrophic’

27/01/2023
Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health

Grab driver supposedly earned $5,227.82 in a week prior CNY, netizens voice worries over his health

27/01/2023
Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

ICC grants new inquiry into Manila’s deadly ‘war on drugs’

27/01/2023
Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
36

...

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

by Yee Loon
26/01/2023
24

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
28

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
55

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
46

...

MOM to meet with employer of stranded foreign workers

by onlinecitizen
20/12/2008
0

...

December 2008
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Nov   Jan »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz