The NTUC Migrant Workers Forum said it hopes the Manpower Ministry (MOM) and employers will help settle these issues quickly; and even change the law to protect foreign and local workers to ensure they get paid.
Labour movement speaks out against errant employers of foreign workers 18 July 2004
The labour movement has spoken out against errant employers of foreign workers who do not pay them on time.
It said it strongly disapproved of such irresponsible behaviour by employers.
There has been a spate of recent cases of foreign workers not given their wages, with some even stranded without food or money.
The NTUC Migrant Workers Forum said it hopes the Manpower Ministry (MOM) and employers will help settle these issues quickly; and even change the law to protect foreign and local workers to ensure they get paid.
Yeo Guat Kwang, Chairman, NTUC Migrant Workers Forum and MP, Aljunied GRC, said, "The government, particularly MOM, should seriously consider reviewing the legislation in this area; either we have to see how we can ensure that all the employers will definitely pay the salary to the workers promptly, and if there is any case of delay in salary payment, there should be a mechanism to ensure that the workers at the end of the day should be able to claim all the salary that the employers owe them."
- CNA
Background Information
In 2003, about 4,000 grievance reports were make by workers to MOM regarding salary arrears, salaries for work on rest days and other issues. The MOM has assisted 2,070 foreign workers to sucessful claim $3.9 million in unpaid wages.
- Think Centre
Sources and Relevant Links:
ChannelNewsAsia: Labour movement speaks out against errant employers of foreign workers 18 July 2004
Think Centre: 16 July 2004: Indian Migrant Workers protest Again 17 July 2004
Think Centre Singapore: 200 Indian Workers protest at Indian Embassy 29 June 2004
