MOM actively protects the interests of migrant workers
- Lianhe Zaobao (03 May 2010) : MOM actively protects the interests of migrant workers
- Lianhe Zaobao (26 April 2010) : HOME: MOM should pursue salary arrears on behalf of foreign workers for free
MOM actively protects the interests of migrant workers
- Lianhe Zaobao, 03 May 2010
Your article "HOME: MOM should pursue salary arrears on behalf of foreign workers for free” (26 April) gives the wrong impression about the efforts by the Ministry of Manpower to protect the interest of migrant workers and assist them in the recovery of salary arrears.
2. The vast majority of cases involving foreign worker claims in 2009 were resolved amicably through mediation by MOM. Only 6% referred their claims to the Labour Court for adjudication.
3. Of these cases, where the Labour Court ordered the employer to pay up outstanding salary arrears, more than half did so. The remaining minority had to consider enforcing their orders through the Subordinate Courts which charges a stamp fee of $270 to execute a writ for seizure and sale. This fee and other expenses incurred by the foreign worker in the course of the enforcement proceedings may be recovered from the proceeds realized through the execution of the writ. As some of these companies are already insolvent or have few assets that can be realized with value, workers may decide not to proceed with enforcement proceedings.
4. From January 2010, failure by companies to pay their foreign workers on time could result in a forfeiture of their security bonds. This new measure will help ensure that salary payments are made promptly and in full.
5. MOM also advises workers not to allow salary arrears to accumulate. Workers may lodge their salary claims directly with MOM's Labour Relations Department by making an e-appointment with an MOM officer at the MOM website, or by email (mom_lrd@mom.gov.sg), or call 6438 5122.
HOME: MOM should pursue salary arrears on behalf of foreign workers for free
- Lianhe Zaobao, 26 April 2010
The ZB article highlighted the plight of those foreign workers who need to fork out $200 to check on their employers even though they may already be facing salary arrears and have difficulty in coping with their daily expenses. NGOs remarked that this could deter foreign workers from coming forward to lodge complaints against their employers. MOM’s Assistant Commissioner of Labour noted that MOM will do all the necessary paperwork and documentation and the $200 can be deducted from the compensation amount that they will receive subsequently.
MOM also said that employees generally can accept employers delaying salary payment in difficult times such as in last year’s economic recession. MOM will also take harsh action against those employers who disregard the orders from the Labour Court.
According to MOM's statistics, three in five employers involved in salary arrears cases followed through to compensate the foreign workers. This implied that the remaining two (or 40%) did not compensate the workers. ZB also noted that there are some foreign workers who had to return to their home country despite efforts to get their employers to pay back the outstanding salaries. A spokesperson from HOME added that some of these errant employers emptied their bank accounts to avoid repaying the outstanding salaries to their foreign workers.