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Forgotten and forsaken

30 men left to fend for their own, while rest move to new quarters.

Published

16 years ago

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Story by Andrew Loh / Pictures by Mervin Lee & Kenneth Tham

On 22 January, the Straits Times carried a report headlined, “Workers move out of Tagore dormitory”. It reported that the dormitory at 468 Tagore Industrial Avenue, which housed several hundred Bangladeshi workers, had been “cleared out” after the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had found it to be “non-compliant”. The men were moved to a dormitory at Seletar Farmway, the report said.

On 24 January, a group of Singaporeans, who called themselves “Friends In Charity”, was giving out foodstuff to migrant workers at Desker Road in Little India. The members told The Online Citizen (TOC) that they are professionals, executives and ordinary Singaporeans who just wanted to provide help to those in need. Migrant workers were just one of the groups they were helping. As the afternoon wore on, more foreign workers came to collect the handouts.

Shajul, one of the volunteers, then introduced me to a group of 12 Bangladeshi workers who was also there for the foodstuff. I recognized some of the faces in that group, I thought. Then I realized that I had met them at the dormitory at 468 Tagore Industrial Estate – the very same dormitory which the Straits Times reported on. Why were these workers there at Little India, I wondered. They should be at Seletar Farmway.

As I spoke to them, I learned that although most of the workers at 468 had been moved to Seletar, some of them (30, I am told), were not. I asked why. The workers told me that those who went to Seletar were from a different company, Gates Offshore and Goldrich Venture, while they were from PA Services. I was bewildered to learn of this. I asked where they were staying. They told me that they were living in hostels in Little India. As I probed further, I learned that they were given $210 each and were asked to look for their own lodging for the next 21 days. “Why 21 days?” I asked. They explained that MOM had given them 21 days to look for a new employer. Failing that, they would be sent home.

The special pass issued to them expires on 12 February and they are desperate to find a new employer.

The $210 went to paying for the hostel, which cost them $8 to $10 each per day. They would have no money for anything else, including food. That was why they were at Desker Road for the handouts from Friends In Charity. “Only sleeping money,” Israfil, 25, told me. “Makan money no give,” he added. (“Makan” is Malay for “eat” or “food”.)

I wondered how they were going to find an employer on their own, given that they do not know Singapore very well, cannot speak English and do not even have money for transport.

As I was speaking with the workers from 468, I was informed that another group of Bangladeshi workers were there as well for the handouts – this group was from a dormitory in Geylang, Lorong 31. They told me of their situation and urged me to visit their dorm. (Their story, which included an encounter I had with their supervisor late in the night, will be in a separate report.)

Thus began a night of visiting their quarters – and seeing the squalid conditions they were subjected to.

Little India

Israfil, 25, from 468, explained to me that there were 30 of them staying in various hostels in Little India. He offered to show me where they lived. They have been in Singapore for seven months and were supposed to work in the shipyards – but they have not been given any work. The men had asked MOM to allow them to do other kinds of work, other than in the shipyards but MOM rejected this appeal, they told me. Their work permit only allows them to work in the shipyards. “We can do other jobs like cleaning, catering, sundry shops,” Shoel Mahmud, 19, said. “I asked MOM any work also can,” added Israfil, “but MOM no give.” He did not understand why MOM would reject this.

MOM, however, has put them on the TJS – Temporary Job Scheme – where the workers could work for other employers. The problem with this, the men explained, is that there are many unemployed workers on the scheme. MOM has also told them to go to the ministry building every Friday so that prospective employers could employ them. “Nobody take,” Israfil said. “They come take 4 people, 5 people. Other no take. No job.” Even if they were “taken” by the employers, they would be hired on a day to day basis and be paid a daily-rated salary. For these 468 workers, they would have only two or three Fridays to find an employer through the TJS.

They have also gone for interviews with various shipyards, arranged by MOM, but they have not been successful. “The interview is just a show,” Israfil said. “They don’t give work.”

As we arrived at the first dormitory, I was led up a very narrow stairway. At the top of the stairs, a single door. Open that and all you see is an even narrower hallway, parting four rooms – two on each side. The floor is dirty, the walls stained, and there is a rather metallic smell in the air. I asked Israfil what that was. “Kill bugs,” he said. He explained that anti-bacteria, anti-bug sprays are used each day to get rid of the pests. Hence, the odour. I wondered about toxicity and how they could sleep at night with such odour.

As I entered one of the rooms, the first thing you notice is how cramped it was. The room measured, as far as I could estimate, about 4m by 5m. In that small space, three double-decker beds were in place, allowing six men to sleep in them. Out of curiosity, I asked how many men slept in there. “Eight,” Israfil smiled and told me. Two men would sleep on the floor.

There were no cupboards or drawers for their belongings, something which I have observed in all the dormitories – even those which held hundreds of men. There were no windows for ventilation, resulting in damp and stale air in the rooms.

There was one toilet shared by all, and one shower, also shared by everyone. Both of them were in atrocious conditions. 

As we left to visit another dormitory around the area where the rest of the men were staying, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps these men were better off being left at 468, Tagore Industrial Estate, bad as that dormitory was.

But to their credit, the men did not complain about their living conditions.

They just wanted to work – but seemed to have been forgotten and forsaken by their employer, after having paid thousands of dollars to come to Singapore.

 ————-

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

Published

1 year ago

on

14 August 2023

By

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

Published

1 year ago

on

10 August 2023

By

MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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