Special pass of migrant worker fired over 'loan shark' harassment not extended further after last-ditch appeal fails

SINGAPORE: A Bangladeshi migrant worker who was fired by his employer in March after being harassed by purported "loan sharks" will not have his Special Pass extended beyond Friday (May 31), Singapore authorities said on Thursday night.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had received an appeal on Mr Uddin Sharif's behalf by a resident of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

The appeal was made during a Meet-the-People session on May 29. 

"ICA and MOM have reviewed the appeal, and will not be granting an extension of Mr Sharif’s current Special Pass beyond May 31," said the authorities.

In a Facebook post on May 30, Mr Sharif said two friends from Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC had gone to see Prime Minister Lawrence Wong about his case. Mr Wong holds Meet-the-People sessions every Wednesday.

On Friday morning, he posted pictures of himself and friends at Changi Airport's departure hall, hours after ICA and MOM said his Special Pass would not be extended.

In their statement on Thursday night, MOM and ICA reiterated the reasons previously given by the police and MOM as to why Mr Sharif's Special Pass was not extended.

They said he had been given sufficient time since the termination of his work permit on Apr 11 to look for a new job under the Temporary Job Scheme (TJS), while police investigations into the unlicensed moneylender harassment reports were ongoing.

According to MOM's website, a migrant worker required to stay in Singapore to assist in investigations can apply for a job under the TJS, although this would be subject to the ministry’s approval.

MOM and the Migrant Workers' Centre had linked him up with employment agencies to support this job search.

Upon his request. the ministry had also provided him with an email confirmation of his TJS eligibility on May 13.

"We understand that Mr Sharif had turned down job offers including working as a packer and a hotel cleaner," said ICA and MOM.

"As police investigations into the case have concluded, and Mr Sharif has not found new employment, he has to leave Singapore."

Mr Sharif's Special Pass was initially due to expire on May 24, but this was extended by three days after he requested additional time to make departure arrangements.

A further extension to May 31 was granted, "given the circumstances of his case", said ICA and MOM.

"Should Mr Sharif wish to return to Singapore for work in the future, he will have to apply afresh for a work permit based on the prevailing criteria," they added.

EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS

MOM and the police said previously that "extensive investigations" were conducted to identify the alleged person who had harassed Mr Sharif, his former and potential employers.

The police have not found any evidence that Mr Sharif had borrowed from unlicensed moneylenders.

Mr Sharif’s case had been under investigation after he filed a police report in March over the harassment he faced, which included debtor’s notes addressed to Mr Sharif at his ex-employer’s daughter’s home. 

The incident prompted his ex-employer, Hiap Seng Piling Construction, to raise the issue with the authorities. 

While Mr Sharif denied ever taking any loan, the company terminated his employment and said in the letter it was done “under police and MOM officer advice”. 

The police and MOM clarified at the time that this was not the case. The authorities had also said then that they had reached out to Mr Sharif “to address his concerns and offer our assistance”.