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SINGAPORE: In the past six months, groups of Bangladeshi foreign workers have found themselves without the jobs promised to them after arriving in Singapore.
This, after paying huge sums of money – some as much as S$8,000 – to labour agents in their home country to secure these jobs.
Fearing that their employers will deport them since there is no work for them, the workers have turned to the Manpower Ministry (MOM), which is currently investigating the issue, for help.
However, AKM Moshin, contributing editor for The Voice of Bengal, said the problem needs to be tackled at source.
"I think our government has to take initiative on that. Before the workers come here, they have to give them proper information and train them up properly.
"Our High Commission also has to take responsibility when a local employer wants to bring in Bangladeshi workers. They have to conduct checks on the company, on the kind of accommodation provided, the kind of work and salary, and they have to check properly," he said.
There are 577,000 foreign workers in Singapore. MOM said on average, less than 0.5 per cent of them lodge complaints regarding housing and salary.
The Bangladesh High Commission said it is working with Singapore authorities, but is unable to give an interview on the issue.
- CNA/so
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