In response to an SCMP article on CLB's research report on Chinese migrant workers in Singapore. The Singapore consul general in Hong Kong, Ker Sin Tze, wrote to the newspaper on 24 February stating:
Singapore's laws protect foreign workers
Mark O'Neill's article on a recent China Labour Bulletin report ("Singapore exploits labourers from China, report says", February 17), presents a misleading picture on the employment conditions of Chinese foreign workers in Singapore.
While we empathise with the plight of the 23 Chinese workers interviewed, O'Neill has merely highlighted selective extracts from the report which are not representative of Chinese foreign workers' employment conditions in Singapore.
Singapore has a comprehensive set of legislative and promotional measures to protect foreign workers' rights and well-being, including rights to acceptable accommodation and medical treatment.
Foreign workers are protected under Singapore's Employment Act, the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, the Workplace Safety and Health Act, and the Work Injury Compensation Act. Employers are required to comply with our legislation and treat their foreign workers fairly.
Some 460 employers were charged and convicted for failing to comply with their obligations under these acts in 2010. If the terms of employment (whether in contracts signed in or outside Singapore) are inferior to statutory requirements, these terms are considered null and void.
The government has also enhanced the regulations governing employment agencies in Singapore to better protect the foreign workers they bring in. Fees charged by Singapore agencies will be capped and penalties against unlicensed agencies will be significantly increased.
We also provide foreign workers with a guidebook containing information on their employment rights and responsibilities, as well as avenues for help if the need arises. These guidebooks are published in the workers' native languages.
During safety courses, workers are again reminded of such information.
The government also works closely with local non-governmental organisations, like the Migrant Workers Centre, to actively champion the well-being of foreign workers in Singapore and ensure that workers receive the necessary assistance.
As a result of these efforts, the number of employment disputes raised by Chinese foreign workers declined by 30 per cent in 2010 compared with 2009.
Generally, the incidence of claims for all foreign workers remains low at below 0.5 per cent over the years.
In tandem with the government's continuous efforts to protect the rights and well-being of workers, the governments of source countries also have an important role to play in ensuring that the employment agencies there treat them fairly and provide them with accurate information during recruitment regarding the terms and conditions of their employment in Singapore.
Ker Sin Tze, consul general of Singapore in Hong Kong
Singapore's laws protect foreign workers
Mark O'Neill's article on a recent China Labour Bulletin report ("Singapore exploits labourers from China, report says", February 17), presents a misleading picture on the employment conditions of Chinese foreign workers in Singapore.
While we empathise with the plight of the 23 Chinese workers interviewed, O'Neill has merely highlighted selective extracts from the report which are not representative of Chinese foreign workers' employment conditions in Singapore.
Singapore has a comprehensive set of legislative and promotional measures to protect foreign workers' rights and well-being, including rights to acceptable accommodation and medical treatment.
Foreign workers are protected under Singapore's Employment Act, the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, the Workplace Safety and Health Act, and the Work Injury Compensation Act. Employers are required to comply with our legislation and treat their foreign workers fairly.
Some 460 employers were charged and convicted for failing to comply with their obligations under these acts in 2010. If the terms of employment (whether in contracts signed in or outside Singapore) are inferior to statutory requirements, these terms are considered null and void.
The government has also enhanced the regulations governing employment agencies in Singapore to better protect the foreign workers they bring in. Fees charged by Singapore agencies will be capped and penalties against unlicensed agencies will be significantly increased.
We also provide foreign workers with a guidebook containing information on their employment rights and responsibilities, as well as avenues for help if the need arises. These guidebooks are published in the workers' native languages.
During safety courses, workers are again reminded of such information.
The government also works closely with local non-governmental organisations, like the Migrant Workers Centre, to actively champion the well-being of foreign workers in Singapore and ensure that workers receive the necessary assistance.
As a result of these efforts, the number of employment disputes raised by Chinese foreign workers declined by 30 per cent in 2010 compared with 2009.
Generally, the incidence of claims for all foreign workers remains low at below 0.5 per cent over the years.
In tandem with the government's continuous efforts to protect the rights and well-being of workers, the governments of source countries also have an important role to play in ensuring that the employment agencies there treat them fairly and provide them with accurate information during recruitment regarding the terms and conditions of their employment in Singapore.
Ker Sin Tze, consul general of Singapore in Hong Kong