“Protection for workers needed: HOME on COI report”, 2 July 2014

The Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) said that adequate protection for migrant workers is needed to prevent abuse and exploitation, if Singapore wishes to properly appreciate and acknowledge their contributions, as recommended in the Committee of Inquiry’s (COI) summary report on the Little India riot in December 2013…The high fees that are charged by agencies at countries of origin were…often remitted to employers and recruiters based in Singapore as kickbacks, the NGO charged…[HOME Executive Director Jolovan Wham] said that…“legal protections should be enacted to prevent wage discrimination by nationality.”…HOME also took issue with the COI’s view on the adequacy of foreign worker housing…“Large numbers of workers continue to live in cargo containers, factory converted dormitories, shop houses, private apartments”…Citing the unilateral right of an employer to cancel work permits, Mr Wham believe that this “needs to be curbed and the worker’s right to switch employers freely has to be guaranteed. Without these changes, workers will remain reluctant to file cases of abuse.”…