Employer crowdfunded over S$160,000 for domestic worker who diagnosed with aneurysm, and sent her back to reunite with family in Indonesia

Saripah, an Indonesian domestic worker, suffered a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized in Singapore. The illness could have cost her tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, which she is not entitled to as a foreign worker. Her employers launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoGetFunding to raise at least S$150,000 to cover all her medical bills and other expenses, including her repatriation cost of S$18,000. The campaign successfully raised more than S$160,000, and Saripah was able to fly back to Indonesia to continue receiving medical care.

Randstad Malaysia Workmonitor reveals employee concerns over job stability and financial insecurity

The 2023 Randstad Malaysia Workmonitor survey has revealed that employees in Malaysia are increasingly concerned about their job stability and financial security in the face of a softening economy, global business restructuring, and rising operating costs. The survey found that 60% of respondents were worried about losing their jobs, while 86% expressed strong confidence in their employers to provide them with security. However, 65% of respondents would not accept a new job offer if it did not offer a significant pay increase, and 80% said that their financial position was preventing them from retiring as early as they wanted. Employers are urged to prioritize the well-being of their workers during business restructuring and support them through the transition process.

TWC2 raises concerns about rules on rest day pay for low-wage workers in Singapore

Non-profit organisation Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) raises concerns in a recent article about the current rules on rest day pay in Singapore, arguing it is open to abuse and could exploit low-wage workers. TWC2 suggests that the Employment Act should be revised to create a uniform rate of pay for rest day work, regardless of whether the employee or employer requested the work.

Singapore sees rise in workplace fatalities and occupational diseases in 2022

Singapore saw a rise in workplace fatalities, dangerous occurrences, and occupational disease cases in 2022. The number of workplace-related deaths reached its highest level since 2015-16, with the construction sector being hit hardest.

Singaporean retrenched from Meta competes with other retrenched foreigners for jobs

Channel News Asia reported earlier this month (10 Mar) that many of…

Tripartite workgroup recommends zero-tolerance policy against abuse and harassment of healthcare workers

The Tripartite Workgroup, comprising the Ministry of Health (MOH), healthcare institutions, and healthcare unions, has recommended adopting a standardised zero-tolerance policy against abuse and harassment of healthcare workers in any form. The recommendations came after an extensive engagement with more than 3,000 healthcare workers and over 1,500 members of the public. The workgroup found that more than two in three healthcare workers had witnessed or experienced abuse or harassment in the past year. The most common forms of abuse and harassment include shouting, threats by patients and/or caregivers, and demeaning comments. Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, fully supports the recommendations and says that abusive behaviour towards healthcare workers is not acceptable.

At least 88.5% of employment growth for 2022 in Singapore went to foreigners

Singapore Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) latest labour market report for 2022 would suggest that at least 88.5% of the employment growth last year, went to foreigners.

Increasing Wage Disparities: Women in STEM fields face disappointing gains, men fare even worse

Despite Singapore’s push for gender equality in STEM, recent data reveals disappointing wage growth for women, with men in these fields experiencing even worse outcomes.

Straits Times opinion piece suggesting measures for employees fails to address root cause of job insecurity

The Straits Times published an opinion piece on Tuesday which urges Singaporean workers to manage their career health proactively. However, Leong Sze Hian points out that it fails to address the fundamental issue of job insecurity caused by employers’ preference for foreign workers.

Firms say verification on EP applicants’ educational qualifications already in place; Fake degree issues exposed over recent years

Companies in Singapore have reportedly already implemented measures to verify the educational qualifications of foreigners hired on Employment Passes (EPs), according to Channel News Asia. Multinational companies in the country said pre-employment checks, including educational qualifications, were already part of their procedures. From 1 September, firms must submit third-party verification proof for diploma-level and above qualifications. Currently, verification proof only has to be submitted if a candidate’s educational qualification is not from an accredited institution. MPs from the Workers’ Party and the Progress Singapore Party have called for increased scrutiny of foreign talent qualifications.