Plight Of Foreign Workers On Special Passes

This letter was published in The Straits Times on 20 July 2007.

THE Straits Times expose of the deplorable living conditions of some foreign workers shows that much more has to be done to improve their welfare ('These workers make HDB bin centres their home'; ST, July 16).

Many foreign workers in Singapore have to endure cramped and unsanitary living quarters. These places are often not purpose-built dormitories with proper facilities but poorly built, makeshift metal structures.

The article also brought to light the plight of foreign workers here on 'special passes'. Several thousand workers hold such passes because their work permits have been cancelled or revoked but they are required to stay in Singapore to assist the authorities in investigations.

These investigations are carried out for offences such as illegal deployment and employment and can take six months to as long as two years.

More often than not, such workers have difficulty looking after themselves as their work-permit employers are no longer responsible for them.

Workers with accident compensation claims are also left in the lurch because many employers refuse to house and take care of injured workers who have become a 'liability' to the company. These workers are also prohibited by law to find alternative employment.

With few resources and alternatives, many workers are forced to eke out a living through illegal work. They will accept sub-standard living conditions just so that they have a roof over their heads.

Greater consideration has to be shown to foreign workers who are unfortunate enough to fall through the cracks of our employment system.