Comments on: MOM takes action against illegal lodging for foreign workers

By: Wynnx

Wynnx — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:48:18 +0000

If without the TOC highlighting these, do you honestly think MOM give a hoot? I think not. Anyway, well done TOC!

It is just a counter measure on MOM’s part ..I mean this issue cannot be so recent that they only took action now, right?

By: citizenone

citizenone — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:43:51 +0000

why is toc suddenly heaping praises on the gahmen??

By: Whitley-gate

Whitley-gate — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:57:14 +0000

What is Morgan Stanley doing getting invloved in foreign workers dorms??
Is the economy REALLY THAT BAD ??

By: ram

ram — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:10:49 +0000

In its press release, MOM said that if the employers failed to comply with its instructions to move the workers to appropriate and approved housing within the next one week, the work permits of the workers will be cancelled.

Employers will say “Kum sia, thank you, vellen dank, terima kaseh, arigato” to MOM. Now that employers/agents have swallowed the placement fees of workers, MOM has given them a legal excuse to send the workers back into debt and be hounded, beaten and killed by loan sharks in their countries.

MOM should punish errant employers, ensure that errant employers provide suitable accomodation. If errant employers fail to provide suitable accomodation, than MOM should seize the employers’ properties to pay for the accomodation.

Acting MOM minister Gan, please perform.

By: Watanaporn

Watanaporn — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:58:30 +0000

Well done TOC & MOM!

By: Sgcynic

Sgcynic — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:11:24 +0000

“By 20 March, more than half of the workers have been relocated to new accommodation that is in compliance with all regulatory requirements.” I hope these workers will not be slapped with higher “admin” (rental) charges.

By: Watchman

Watchman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:51:50 +0000

I think TOC deserves some credit in highlighting this topic of foreign workers mistreatment and causing the government to take faster action.

By: Farquhar

Farquhar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:47:18 +0000

Well done TOC, and other blogs who have helped to bring the plight of foreign workers to light. Some questions remain, as Andrew has pointed out, but there is little doubt that MOM would not have acted as quickly if this issue had been left to the largely docile mainstream press.

The whole episode is a good example of the importance of independent, investigative journalism.