Comments on: “I hope Singapore government punish them”

By: firenz

firenz — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:59:25 +0000

I read most of the comments and have this to say. If we were to just focus on a few social issues and get mad, it is quite myopic. We should look at the bigger picture of the country and count our blessings that we have a growing economy, good schools and infrastructure and a safe place to live. Most of our people live in HBD flats which are very big and well located. All we need to step outside our country to notice the poverty and political turmoils. As an individual ourself, we can also never find everyone to be happy with us. For a leader to run a country, he has to consider many things, and implement what is required, no matter how unpleasant.
For these foreign workers, there is no hope in their countries and they take a huge risk, borrowing money to come here to work. For some of these workers, they have been cheated and I agree that justice must be sought. But a majority of them are doing well, living in dormitory and earning a sum which was agreed. There are also many of them in the service sector and trying hard to upgrade their services. In any trade, there are always unscrupulous people on both sides, employers and employees and it is certainly up to the individual to judge for themselves if they want to be a part of it.

By: julia

julia — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:31:21 +0000

TOC, pls keep up the excellent work ! Kudos to you guys !

Time to vote out these miw pigs. Think they care about how these migrant workers are treated ? ! Think they care about the existence of recruitment companies who mercilessly abuse these workers ? No, in fact, they are advocating an increase in the levy. All they want is to fatten their own coffers to cover the massive loss by their incompetent TH & GIC.

By: pickitup

pickitup — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:33:17 +0000

@high five, @black kettle.

fact: the foreign workers were mistreated. right or not?

at least TOC don’t sweep the bad things under the carpet.

By: Passerby

Passerby — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:02:53 +0000

Koh Beng Seng on September 9th, 2009 11.43 pm

A “speculative orgy” (to borrow term from the Great Crah 1929) in property market when the economic fundamntals is heading south, is sign of sucides, It has always been and higly likely will remain the same. Some group is gong for a kill anytime now.

By: Passerby

Passerby — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:54:52 +0000

It happens everywhere not just Singapore. But the only different is in Singapore it has been legitimized by the gahmen slowly but surely over a long period of time. The general public has been blinded by the success storiesall these years and so much so nobody saw the hidden agenda, not until the syatem start to crack or fail. But then it was too late.

In other countries the general public call it “IT IS WHAT IT IS” i.e. corruption, thus due to this Singapore has always been viewed as the least corrupt country compares to the neighbouring countries. And why not? Since the gahmen says so.

Take a look at these examples:

In other countries, appointing family members in cabinet as well as GLC is considered nepotism. But in Singapore it is meritocracy.

In other countries, losing public funds will be accounted as mismanagment corruption and negligence, But in Singapore, it is a business decision (Yah! A bad one that is)

In other countries, favouring one race over another is considered discrimination and favouritisim. But in Singapore, it is Meritocracy.

The list goes on and on..

By: Koh Beng Seng

Koh Beng Seng — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:43:59 +0000

The MSM only carry good news, positive news, such as booming housing market, to reflect the efficient govt.

It sweep underneath the carpet all bad news, hence, we oftenly see bad times or issue arrive suddenly.

这是报喜不报忧

By: George

George — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:32:51 +0000

Sadly I no longer identify myself as SinKaporean any more. Although I was born and bred in SinKapore but I spent many years in JB as my mother’s family came from there.I identify myself as from Malaysia.SinKapore now had a culture of getting rich quick and by any means. It is a matter of time before it is internationally known as a crook and cheating nation not to be trusted. If gahment could help themselves to whatever money they want why not SinKaporean as well. It is the first step to 3rd World status. We have not seen anything yet. More will come to the surface as time goes on. So far one scam was discovered, more are waiting to be found. Just wait and see.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:05:18 +0000

I cannot believe this happened. It really makes me a little ashamed to be Singaporean. I hope the government can do something about it, if we allow this to go through, then won’t be spread and expand to something larger in the future?
I wonder why main stream media is not covering this too,

By: SS

SS — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:42:53 +0000

It just shows Singapore is NOT First World.

Certainly not in the way it treats its workers, both local and foreign.

By: SS

SS — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:40:41 +0000

The MOM allows them to come in because they have no clue what is going on. Headline numbers look good so it must mean that the underlying situation is also rosy. Taking in workers to collect levies? Is the MOM given a performance target as well ? are they being assessed on a $$ yardstick??? All sorts of problems created. No housing? Stick the workers in residential areas!

They just take orders from their Minister to let in these foreign talent. Its not just the low salaried jobs that we are going overboard. Its the high salaried jobs as well.

Whats the result ? Singaporeans are sandwiched between the top end and the bottom end of the economic spectrum.

Sickens me, what the Govt is doing

By: squidsquid

squidsquid — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:25:12 +0000

if there is nothing wrong done, why scared others stir whatever emotion and why mainstream media not covering such reports……真金不怕火炼……

By: Rockafunkadeliks

Rockafunkadeliks — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:46:50 +0000

I have nothing but kudos for this article; this is investigative journalism at its best. Thanks TOC for bringing up this matter which would otherwise may not be reported by our mainstream media.

I followed up on a link to Mr Siew Kum Hong’s blog about the speeches in Parliament about the issue – despite the claims of only 0.05% affected, the views of this disaffected minority must be heard, loudly even.

It’s a sad day to be Singaporean – to have people being treated this way on our shores is simply unjust and unfair and must be condemned. If our fellow Singaporeans can stand by and dismiss this as unimportant then half of our battle (for the various freedoms) is lost.

By: gemami

gemami — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:10:05 +0000

For those of you new to TOC, the story of Delowar, originated from the TOC article titled; 179 foreign workers abandoned by employer.

The article in this tread is not just a story to stir up sentiments but is one followed up closely by TOC’s reporting crew since mid-December. There are no anti-whatever sentiments to stir up except to ask questions of the authorities that be, on why such situations are allowed to happen in frist world Singapore; and what course of action these authorities will take to ensure that no future abuses will happen.

We have seen vigilante postings, attempting to stir up anti-TOC and anti-Opposition sentiments, and very much so since this afternoon.

TOCers, I trust, are more discerning than those who blindly and religiously follow the MSM and PAP propaganda.

By: Boobytrap

Boobytrap — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:27:37 +0000

This article has nothing to do with inciting hatred towards the Government or PAP, as claimed by high five and black kettle. Why bring politics into everything. It just shows the immaturity in them.

TOC is only highlighting the problems foreign workers face and it is only the tip of the iceberg. Everyone agreed that foreign workers in a way contribute to the economy of Singapore and as such it is only fair we treat them fairly. They are here because our dollar is strong. Can one imagine if someday our dollar loses strength and we are forced to seek employment in another country where you are treated the same way as we are treating our foreign workers now. This day is’nt too far away.

By: black kettle

black kettle — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:09:20 +0000

Wow, TOC, nice try at using a touching story to exploit people’s emotion to stir anti-PAP feelings.family too?

Nice try for deleting my comments for the 3rd time!

By: high five

high five — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:16:37 +0000

Wow, TOC, trying to use a touching story to stir up anti-gahmen feelings hah?

By: Boobytrap

Boobytrap — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:45:30 +0000

The plight of the foreign workers is not new. This has been happening since the day the Singapore government imposed the levy system.
Many are gone unpublished.
MOM has put up posters in areas where foreign workers mingle and tell them to report if they are not paid. Many of them do but the end result is still the same. No one take a concerted effort to understand these workers problems, including MOM. These cheated workers return home with a heavy heart and face insurmountable burdens. Some even committ suicide, whilst their ex-bosses here still drive around in Mercedes Benz. The only solution is to abolish the levy system, which I think the local government wiil not do because the income through that is substantial. So until then more foreign workers will suffer. Never ending story.

By: theonlinecitizen

theonlinecitizen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:54:44 +0000

donate,

Tentatively, it will either be in April or June this year. I would be more than happy to help distribute any donations to them. :)

I just heard that Delowar is having a very tough time at home. Sigh… I can only imagine what he is going through. I will be calling him soon to find out what’s going on..

Andrew

By: donate

donate — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:24:36 +0000

Hi Andrew,
If you are really going to visit them, perhaps we can collect some money for them to help them get back on their feet again.

This is the least that we can do, I think.

By: Shing Hei

Shing Hei — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:48:24 +0000

Its really a loophole in the Spore govt, esp MOM, when it comes to employing foreign white-collar workers. They may not be as fortunate as fellow Sporeans, but they do have dignity and a family to raise back in their hometown.