Wage claims still difficult in practice

ST letter by Mr Jack Chew
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I AM writing in response to Tuesday’s letter by the Ministry of Manpower, ‘Help with foreign workers’ wage claims’.

Contrary to what was stated – that foreign workers’ claims will be ‘investigated and pursued, even if they have returned to their home countries’, so long as they have lodged a claim with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) – I am obliged to agree with migrant worker activist Jolovan Wham that Singapore’s labour laws offer little real protection to foreign workers.

I have personally encountered cases where workers cannot even meet MOM officers to discuss the injustice done to them by their employers because their work permits have been cancelled.

From what I understand, a worker cannot remain in Singapore for more than seven days once his work permit has been cancelled by his employer, for whatever reason.

How is a worker supposed to make a claim when repatriation is a week away and booking a meeting with an MOM officer requires at least two weeks’ notice?

MOM also requires the claimant to be present for a claim to go through. If the worker has been repatriated, why can’t he authorise someone else to make his claim?

I would also like to know if there is a basic understanding between MOM and other agencies and companies hiring foreign workers regarding the workers’ contractual rights.

I ask this because I have seen companies force foreign workers to sign a ‘memorandum of understanding’ making the workers liable to pay for everything (from air tickets to worker’s levy) should they make any mistake in their work.

How can we claim to be a country which puts the law above everything else when dishonest employers and agents bully these people who have given so much to build a country where they cannot stand on an equal footing?

I suggest that foreign workers be briefed on their constitutional or human rights before they start work.

Or, at the very least, provide them with a brochure or booklet informing them of the dos and don’ts, as well as privileges accorded to them.

Jack Chew