Mail Call

Lahore, Pakistan

Singapore's Migrant Workers

In "Immigration: No Way to Work" (Dec. 12, 2005), your publication unjustly labels Singapore as an extreme example where migrant workers are denied citizenship and form a permanent underclass. As a small city-state of 4 million, Singapore cannot afford to grant citizenship to its 600,000 migrant workers. This has prevented long-term problems of social disintegration, which your report admits some European countries now face. Foreign workers are aware that they must return home after working in Singapore. They accept our rules and choose to work here, because of the better conditions of work and pay compared with their home countries. Their remittances help support their families and enable many to make a fresh start. What they can expect while in Singapore is impartial protection under our laws, which are vigorously enforced. All employers of foreign workers must ensure work safety and medical coverage, and provide adequate rest, meals, proper housing and prompt salary payment. The penalty is a fine of up to $5,000 and jail for up to six months. Like local workers, injuries are covered under the Workmen's Compensation Act. Employers are also required to put up a bond to guarantee the worker's home passage. Penalties for abusing foreign domestic workers are harsh--one and a half times higher than abuse against other persons. This has markedly decreased the number of abuse cases to about four per 10,000 last year.

Jean Tan, Press Secretary

Ministry of Manpower

Singapore

© 2006