In response to The Straits Times articles “Gap in law to protect workers” on 24 January 2017 and “Give Labour Court more power to protect workers” two days later, Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang said: “In the last two years, the MWC has been assisting migrant workers to enforce Labour Court orders against their non-compliant employers, particularly because most migrant workers caught in such situations do not have the financial means to pursue enforcement on their own.”
MWC has also been tapping on the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund (MWAF) to help workers who wish to enforce their labour court orders against their employers. The assistance range from $1,000–$3,000.
Suggestions
He acknowledged that while the system seeks to address the needs of migrant workers, those like Mr Sujan Ahmed “fall through the cracks.”
Mr Sujan had a fall in May 2015, resulting in permanent injuries. He was owed more than $9,000 in compensation by his employer.
To address this issue, he gave the Manpower Ministry two suggestions.
First, he urged the authorities to publicise successful prosecutions, which will send a strong example of non-tolerance to all employers.
Second, he suggested to improve the monitoring and enforcing mandatory Work Injury Compensation Insurance so that workers will have greater assurance.
Source: NTUC This Week
