A growing number of men and women in developing Asian countries, like India, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Indonesia, go in search of a better life by taking on low-wage jobs in wealthier Asian nations like Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. However, some arrive in a foreign land to find themselves conned by rogue employment agencies, cheated of their wages by unscrupulous employers, or even becoming victims of abuse.
The issue of migrant workers’ rights in Singapore is a sensitive topic. Few Singaporeans will want to get engulfed in the debate, much less devote their lives to defending these rights. Fresh out of the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2004, Jolovan Wham could have followed the set path for Social Work graduates by joining a local voluntary welfare organization, for instance, to work with disadvantaged youths and families. Jolovan, however, had other ideas.
He relished a challenge and chose to dedicate himself to defending the rights of migrant workers in Singapore. Jolovan has since helped to establish the country’s first help-desks and shelters for male and female migrant workers who are victims of abuse and exploitation.
Taking on an unenviable job
From his tiny office in Little India, a popular district for the local Indian community as well as migrant workers from the South Asian subcontinent, Jolovan alone handles an average of 50 cases every month. Male migrant workers, mostly working in construction, would go to him for help if they have been cheated, abused, or subject to inhumane living conditions; or, if they find themselves in trouble with their employers or with the law.
While handling these cases, Jolovan have faced verbal abuse from angry employers, and even threats from “gangsters” (security agencies that handle repatriations) hired by them. Despite the difficult nature of his job, Jolovan perseveres to help those who have no one else to turn to. In the most complex cases he has handled, the workers are completely disempowered because they find themselves on the wrong side of the law and unable to complain to the authorities. Jolovan explains: “Some workers who have been cheated by labor agencies stay on illegally to work, in order to pay off huge debts incurred back home. This is when ruthless employers exploit them with even lower wages or more dreadful living conditions.”
Raising morale and empowering workers
Besides helping workers in trouble, Jolovan – as the Executive Director of HOME – is involved in various activities to improve of the lives of foreign domestic workers (or maids) and other migrant workers in Singapore. HOME regularly organizes public education campaigns (e.g. the Day-off Campaign), skills-training workshops, and forum theater performances, in partnership with organizations like UNIFEM, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), aidha and Migrant Voices. Through these initiatives, Jolovan is not just empowering the workers and raising their morale, he is also able to sensitize society to the problems faced by migrant workers.
How can you help?
The exploitation of migrant workers is not a situation unique to Singapore. Jolovan feels that everyone has a role in generating awareness and to get their governments to pay attention to the rights of marginalized groups in their societies.
“If you see something bad happening, speak up!” Jolovan says. “You can inform the authorities, write to the newspapers, or even blog about it. If citizens do not voice their concerns, then the government will not take action.”
Read more
Article: Conned by job agents; caned for overstaying
Article: 50,000 more foreign workers needed in construction sector
Article: Managing Migration in Southeast Asia
Asian Development Bank: Asia's labor migration dynamics
- A developed World
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