By by Joshua Chiang
Today, Dec 18th, is International Migrants Day. Over at TOC, we have been doing our part raising pertinent issues regarding the less-than-ideal situations many migrant workers find themselves in. While we acknowledge that the liberal immigration policies are cause for concern, we also believe that those who had come here should be treated with fairness and dignity.
The following are ten articles we have written over the years highlighting the plight of migrant workers in Singapore, and also featuring the people who have helped make a difference to their lives. We hope these will serve as a reminder why much much more need to be done.
1) Is Singapore Really Slum-free?
On the horrendous living conditions some migrant workers find themselves in. (warning – pictures may cause nausea)
2) Death of Bangladeshi worker in 2008
Worker who contracted chicken pox received no medical attention from employer, and found dead in his bed.
Migrant workers housed in containers hidden from the buzz of civilization
4) It is not about just providing food
A volunteer’s experience
Little protection for migrant workers on fishing vessels.
6) TOC Expose: Repatriation companies
The dirty business of managing ‘troublesome’ migrant workers
7) Safer transport – what are we waiting for?
9) “I hope Singapore government punish them”
After Delowar – who was a teacher back home – returned home, Japanese news network NHK did a televised report on the story as well, and he was featured, and he mentioned his dream of building a school for his village. Some viewers were so moved that they raised enough money to build the school for him. Now he is the headmaster – or is it administrator – of the new school Sometimes miracles do happen.
10) 179 foreign workers abandoned by employer
The following is ‘Migrant Dreams’, a documentary film by Lynn Lee and James Leong about a Bangladeshi’s dream turned into a nightmare in Singapore.