Avoid Resorting To Strong-Arm Tactics Against Foreign Workers

This was published in The Straits Times on 23 July 2011.

MANY employers often resort to companies that provide repatriation services to deport 'troublesome' workers or prevent them from lodging legitimate claims with the Ministry of Manpower ('MOM 'will protect rights of foreign workers''; July 14).

The activities of such companies are illegal and therefore, the authorities should order them to cease their operations completely.

Repatriation companies employ strong-arm tactics by deploying men to seize a worker and lock him in a room until the day of his departure.

During the confinement, the worker may be assaulted or threatened. He is usually told that if he refuses to leave the country, he may be blacklisted by the ministry, or he may become an illegal overstayer and be punished by caning.

Such threats are effective because the ministry bans workers based on negative feedback from employers. Moreover, Singapore's strict laws against immigration offenders frighten workers into agreeing to repatriation.

When workers pluck up the courage to seek police help, their complaints of forced confinement may go unheeded.

Our social workers have tried unsuccessfully to free some of these workers through the police.

Employers often cite the fear of losing their $5,000 security bond to justify the services of repatriation companies. But by doing so, employers are taking shortcuts in handling workplace conflicts. Any employment dispute should be settled by the ministry.