Maruah Forum: "Foreign Workers, Justice and Fairness" By Ang Teck Huat
I came about the above forum organised by Maruah. After reading what was discussed at the forum, I had the following interesting thoughts:
If this group of passionate Human Rights Activists were to turn politicians and win the next General Election in Singapore and form the government, would we see the following 10 important changes to our Employment Act?
1) Minimum Wage: They may implement a Sectoral Minimum Wage System (SMWS), one which specifies different minimum wage for different sectors. Hence:
Wages for foreign domestic workers (FDW) may be set at $1,800 per month.
Wages for foreign workers (FW) who work as cleaners may be set at $2,500 per month.
Wages for FW who work as bus drivers may be set at $2,800 per month.
Wages for FW who work as construction workers may be set at $3,200.
2) Working hours will be capped at 40 hours a week across all industries for all FW and FDW. Anything more than that will be considered overtime. And to promote work life balance, they should not work for more than 10 hours a day.
3) All FW and FDW must be given at least 1.5 days of rest per week. They should also be given extra off-in-lieu if they work Public holidays.
4) All FW and FDW must be given at least 7 days of annual leaves per year, 14 days of non-hospitalization medical leaves and 60 days of hospitalization leaves.
5) All FW and FDW will be permitted to switch employers if they wish to do so.
6) All employers, including those who employ FDW, will have to issue official pay-slips. These pay-slips should include details such as total pay for the month, total number of hours of overtime worked, calculation of overtime etc.
7) In the spirit of Justice, FW and FDW cannot be repatriated without due process of law. The employers will have to bear the cost of housing and feeding them while waiting for the due process of law to complete its course.
In the spirit of Freedom of Movement, FW and FDW should not be confined to stay in their dormitories after a hard day work. They should also not be subjected to time curfew such as they must return to their dormitories before 11pm.
9) In the spirit of Humanity, FW and FDW, just like any other humans, should be allowed to love and be loved. Their lovers should not be restricted to those of the opposite gender.
10) FW and FDW should be allowed to carry out industrial actions such as strikes and down tools if they feel they are being exploited by their employers.
These changes will definitely raise the profile of Singapore as a country that treats foreign workers well and will definitely be welcome by those countries that export workers.
But how will it affect you, as a Singaporean?
Over the past week, some critics were weeping for those Little India rioters whom they claimed were unfairly deported and cursing for explanation from the government and its officers.
These critics curse for explanation from the government and its Home Team officers who were attacked and injured on that fateful night, while the critics were able to sleep and rises under the blanket of the very safety that this government and its officers provided.
Here is an account by the SCDF Duty officer (CPT HUANG RONG SHEN) involved in the carnage:
[Projectiles were thrown at us...As we escorted them down from the bus, we knew immediately that we had to shield them from the rest of the rioters and the bricks flying towards our direction. Our rescuers formed a circle around the casualties. Before we knew, the police officers came around the firefighters and protected us from the rioters. They formed an outer ring and with their shields and they led us towards the ambulance. As we hurried ourselves, a huge brick hit one of the police officers on his head. Blood was streaming from his head and we could see the wound open up as we continue to march forth in our ring formation. He turned to us to assure that he was fine and our objective was to ensure that the casualties are being escorted to the ambulance safely.]
Share this to stop these critics from fraternizing with foreign powers to discredit the effort of our officers and the government to ensure a safe country for Singaporean.
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Account by CPT HUANG RONG SHEN (COMPANY COMMANDER BRAVO COY, NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTE) -- http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf...ownload_file_from_d_7/file.res/Vol_6_no_4.pdf
“The deceased had already been extricated from beneath the bus. We have to escort the attendant and the driver to the ambulance safely”, LTA Tiffany Neo briefed the police officers and I.
Upon my arrival, I had no idea what was going on except for the fact that I had been turned out for a road traffic accident as the duty fire officer. I looked up and into the bus to made eye contact with the persons trapped in the bus.
Projectiles were thrown at us as we came together to devise a plan. With no time to lose and together with the police officers, we responded to our call of duty.
The firefighters bravely entered the bus despite the agitated rioters crowding around us from a distance.
As we escorted them down from the bus, we knew immediately that we had to shield them from the rest of the rioters and the bricks flying towards our direction.
Our rescuers formed a circle around the casualties. Before we knew, the police officers came around the firefighters and protected us from the rioters.
They formed an outer ring and with their shields and they led us towards the ambulance.
The casualties, protected by two rings of firefighters and police officers began to walk towards the ambulance that was parked within sight.
As we hurried ourselves, a huge brick hit one of the police officers on his head. Immediately, I asked if he was hurt and if we could continue our rescue efforts. I saw in the eyes of the other firefighters the immediate need to help him.
Blood was streaming from his head and we could see the wound open up as we continue to march forth in our ring formation. He turned to us to assure that he was fine and our objective was to ensure that the casualties are being escorted to the ambulance safely.
Together and united as one, we marched forth.
The rioters showed no mercy. We knew for sure that we were outnumbered. Yet, we were focused and we knew where we should be headed despite the obstacles placed before us.
We did it. Yes. We did it.
We successfully escorted the bus driver and attendant to the ambulance. The ambulance conveyed the casualties to the hospital immediatly upon our arrival.
I turned to the police officer that was hurt during the operation and asked if he needed medical assistance. He told me that the safety of the casualties should be prioritised before his injuries.
I threw my hands over his shoulders as the ambulance drove of
