Main Stories, Ng Sook Zhen, Top Story - Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:18 - 42 Comments

A 19th century page from a 21st century draft

 

Story by Ng Sook Zhen

Their living quarters is a shop house unit in Lavender, their beds are wooden boards, the only toilet is shared by 40 people and a typical workday is 13 hours.

It could have been a page taken out of a 19^th century book about Singapore’s immigrant workers.

There is a difference though – these migrant workers do not get fair wages, some do not even get their wages.

The page flips and you realize the story is set in 21^st century Singapore.

Welcome to the world of Mr Zhong, Mr Kuang and Mr Gan from Jiangsu Province in mainland China. The trio – who helped build Sentosa Cove – want to return to China in time for Chinese New Year, but have only received a portion of their deserved wages from employer Jiangsu Rundong Construction Engineering Company. 

“With no money, we cannot go home,” said Mr Kuang. Continue…