- In view of the recent unrest in Singapore, repatriation companies have been created to monitor extended stays by the foreign nationals. Although there is a need for foreign workers in Singapore, they don’t want them to stay beyond a certain period. If companies that hire foreign nationals do not adhere to the rules, then they will be fined by these companies.
- The United States has disapproved this system saying that it is an illegal way to send back the foreign workers. However, these companies have rubbished all such claims.
- Foreign workers play an important role in the development and growth of country, and they have been a very integral part in building top-notch infrastructure and skyline buildings. However, the huge flow of foreign nationals is also leading to exploitation and abuse, which in turn is bringing a bad name to the country that is primarily known for peace and prosperity.
- The unrest and riots caused by the South Asian workers in Singapore, was in fact the first of its kind in the last 40 years. However, activists argue that poor working conditions of foreign workers has led to anger and rioting. Nevertheless, the country’s reputation has taken a big hit, because has always been known for peace, law and order, and well planned infrastructure.
- In this tightly controlled nation, the functioning of repatriation companies has not gone too well with the activists. Their basic responsibility is to hunt down the companies which have allowed foreigners to stay back in the country, even after their contract periods. People who are laid-off from their jobs tend to stay back in the country, for which the employer company will be fined. They will need to make sure that those employees go back to their countries.
- In the 2013 report on human trafficking, the United States has stated that workers are imprisoned and abused by repatriation companies, and they also used threats to get them to the airport.
- This report reveals that migrants become very susceptible to forced and bonded labor, because of the high costs and agent fees that they spend on coming to Singapore for work.
- The Manpower Ministry of Singapore admits that few countries and employment agents do overcharge or fleece the workers for visa and employment permit costs before reaching the country. However, they also regret their inability for not being able to regulate those practices of other countries.
Exams Perspective:
- United Nations Convention on Human Rights
- Unrest of South Asian workers in Singapore
- Labour laws & labour welfare