MWC also reveals plans for 2014 to ensure fair treatment for migrant workers
The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) ushered in the Lunar New Year with the opening of its new centre in Serangoon Road, which includes new features to better help the growing number of migrant workers who approach MWC for help.
Officially launched by NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say on 26 January 2014, the 3,400 square-foot help-centre includes shelter capabilities that will allow MWC to house up to eight persons during emergencies. It also has recreational facilities like a library consisting of books in migrant worker native languages; a television area; movies and board games, which will be available for migrant workers during the centre’s opening hours. Replacing its Rangoon Road office, MWC Serangoon’s closer proximity to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Services Centre also means that migrant workers who have just visited the ministry for help can come to MWC for assistance as well.
As a result of more outreach efforts through channels like the MWC Dormitory Buddies Network and the Penjuru Recreation Centre (where MWC is the main programming partner), MWC has seen an increase in the number of migrant workers assisted. The larger help-centre, which is twice the size of MWC’s previous office will enable MWC to better help even more workers in need. With its recreational facilities, the help-centre will serve as a place where workers can relax and share their concerns about employment-related issues with MWC staff.
MWC’s plans for 2014: Fair treatment for migrant workers
Guided by its key principles of maximising the economic contribution of migrant workers; minimising the social cost that comes with having a large migrant workforce; and championing fair treatment for all, MWC has identified four key priorities for 2014:
The first area that MWC has long advocated for and will continue to push for this year is the retention of skilled foreigners over the importing of untrained foreign workers. MWC will push for a structured skills framework to be introduced this year which will be tied to work-permit renewal. Migrant workers who wish to continue working beyond their two-year employment contracts in Singapore must obtain the necessary certification and show proof of their skills before their permit renewal is approved. MWC will also push for tighter entry requirements where migrant workers who wish to work in Singapore will need to show proof of recognised skill certifications.
Secondly, the migrant workforce of 1.3 million accounts for a third of the total workforce here. It is therefore important that they receive fair treatment. Unlike foreign domestic worker employment contracts, there is no standard contract for work-permit holders, which would help to prevent discriminatory clauses. To safeguard their interests while working here, MWC will push for the development of standard contracts spelling out service agreements and employment terms.
Thirdly, to further assist migrant workers under special conditions like being temporarily out of a job because of pending claims or disputes with employers, MWC will also work on offering placement services when possible. MWC will work on expanding its pool of company partners to provide employment opportunities for these workers. Besides this, MWC will also push for a stronger voice in the granting of Change of Employer status for deserving migrant workers who have been unfairly treated in their jobs so that they can continue to earn a living for themselves while awaiting the conclusion of their cases.
Fourthly, MWC will also strongly push for an improved and more robust dispute resolution mechanism by calling on authorities to give organisations with a proven track record of assisting migrant workers the ability to make stronger representations for workers. In situations where MWC lodges a case for the migrant worker to MOM, MWC hopes to be consulted as an equal partner during the entire resolution process, from point of investigation till closure.
At the opening of MWC Serangoon, MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang delivered an address before 50 guests where he recapped MWC’s efforts in the past year, outlined MWC’s priorities for 2014 and spoke about MWC’s expanded suite of services including the setting up an MWC core of volunteers and the 24-hour helpline which will launched in March. Guests including tripartite partners and dormitory buddies witnessed the official opening of MWC Serangoon through the unveiling of the new MWC logo, which incorporates an invisible heart signifying the core of MWC’s work.
###
