CHAN:
In Singapore, migrant workers are facing unemployment and debt from recession. The once economically bright island city is coming to terms with the reality of the global economic crisis.
STORY:
Singapore's rapid development pace has been built on the backs of migrant workers from the region, who for decades have worked in the shipping and construction industries.
But the economic reality is that this island city, once a major success story in Asia, is facing tough times.
Singapore's founder and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew is saying the economy could shrink by as much as 10 percent this year.
Worse affected by the economic downturn are migrant workers as massive construction projects are halted or companies are simply unable to make ends meet.
John Gee, head of Transient Workers Count Too, a Singapore-based organization dedicated to looking after the welfare of migrant workers, says many more workers have been coming to them for help in the past few months.
[John Gee, President, "Transient Workers Count Too”]:
"Most workers who come here, they fulfill their contracts, they go home. It's not a big problem, but definitely in the economic crisis, we are seeing more employers being squeezed for cash and among the first victims will be migrant workers. They look where they can make the cut and that's what happens. So, first of all a payment runs late and then it becomes non-payment."
The organization runs a "Free Meal Program" every weekday for breakfast and dinner for migrant workers who can't find enough work to make ends meet.
Ibrahamin came to Singapore last year to earn money to support his family in Bangladesh.
After taking out almost 6,000 U.S. dollars in loans to pay employment agency fees to work in Singapore, he arrived on the island and was told almost immediately there was no job for him.
Ibrahamin, is now living at a metro station and surviving on one free meal a day.
[Ibrahamin, Unemployed Migrant Worker]:
"I go back, better. Singapore, problem. Singapore never working, never give money. Everything no good here, working, I no Singapore. I go back Dhaka."
Also from Bangladesh, 42-year-old Abdul Kalam is struggling to survive in Singapore and has been on a special pass for months.
[Abdul Kalam, Unemployed Migrant Worker]:
"Singapore no job, no working. I am nine months coming Singapore. Not even one dollars Bangladesh send. My family have problem. My family have, my brother, sister have no money but Singapore my sleeping, makan (food) many many problem, no job, no money."
Many of the workers who come to this restaurant for free meals are homeless, unemployed and don't have the money to buy a ticket back home.
Employers in Singapore are bound by law to pay for their return home, but many of them here have been left stranded.
As their economic health declines, the social well-being of migrant workers is also under threat.
Many, who paid for their Singapore trip by borrowing money from siblings or agents, now find themselves in debt.
Others, who choose to remain in the host country, find themselves having to become illegal migrants, accepting lower pay and taking on riskier jobs.
[Dr. Tilak Abeysinghe, National University of Singapore]:
"The government has to step in. These workers have been contributing to the economy, so during bad times it's not morally right just to ignore them and make them find their way back home.”
Human rights groups say many of the world's estimated 100 million migrant workers are in dire predicaments as economic woes in the Gulf, Singapore and Taiwan lead to mass layoffs of laborers from countries such as Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
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Migrant Workers Feel Pinchby NTDTV678 views
@cayote1985 STFU ...
jusdeananas 1 year ago
As a long admirer of the SIngapore government, I am dismayed that the Singaporean government has shirked its moral obligation to take prompt action to ensure that these workers are treated fairly.
RussianPunch 2 years ago 2
welcome to Singapore , we're on the same boat !
azmidasimin 2 years ago