Efforts by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that foreign workers are treated fairly by their employers were given the thumbs up by Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.
“We are committed to keep improving our care and support for foreign workers, especially those in distress,” said Minister Lim at an appreciation dinner on 26 November 2017 at the Ministry’s Services Centre at Bendemeer Road.
The event was organised for more than 300 partners comprising employers, dormitory operators, NGOs, employment agency representatives and Foreign Worker Ambassadors.
MWC’s Role
Minister Lim highlighted some of the key efforts by MWC.
In April this year, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) was launched.
He said that in the first six months of its operations, some 2,500 salary claims were received from foreign workers. According to Minister Lim, about 90 per cent recovered their unpaid salaries in full.
However, in rare instances when employers are able to but refuse to pay, MWC helps these foreign workers take legal action for salary recovery by seizing the employer’s assets for auction.
In the short term, MWC also provides ex-gratia payments to tide these workers over and helps them find a new job with employers in their wide network of contacts.
“For foreign workers who come to TADM for help on salary issues, some may also require food and accommodation. We work with MWC to provide food, shelter and emotional support to these workers,” explained Minister Lim.
He hopes to tap on the resources and expertise of MWC and similar organisations to do more together to provide better care for foreign workers.
Added MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang, "The MWC team is cheered by Minister Lim’s encouragement. We will continue to work with our tripartite partners to better reach, better connect with, and most important of all, better protect the most vulnerable amongst our migrant workers."
New Settling-In Programme
Meanwhile, Minister Lim also announced at the event that from the second half of 2018, it will be mandatory for new foreign workers on work permit to attend a settling-in programme.
MOM said the one-day programme aims to educate newly arrived foreign workers about their employment rights, obligations and Singapore laws and provide them with information about working and living in Singapore.
It will start with first-time non-Malaysian foreign workers in the construction sector and will be conducted in their native languages. The programme will be extended to other sectors gradually.
