The Online Citizen Expose: Repatriation Companies

[jia77]

The Online Citizentheonlinecitizen.com/2009/01/toc-expose-repatriation-companies has various other articles written on foreign workers in Singapore. Oh and if you have the time, check out the comments that follow the articles: they can either amuse you or make your blood boil further.

The following is a clearly written piece by Jolovan Wham, social

Comments

[ptechnix]

That's pretty darn shit but I still don't get the lack of involvement by the authorities. I mean, if detaining a person against their will is illegal, aren't they required to investigate no matter what?

Isn't assault and battery by the UTR personal illegal, which again the police is by law required to investigate?

I can't imagine how UTR could get away with it for so law as their conduct is blatantly criminal. Boggles the mind really...

I think stories like this has to hit the mainstream media/news outlets for pressure to be placed on the relevant ministers and authorities. More human rights organisations local and international should be involved in bringing these issues to light.

That's fucked up that is. I can understand why the employer would do this, but to have no respect the rights of individual worker, he really needs to have his legs broken.

[jia77]

Sick shit, right? This article made me cry, man.

These repatriation companies are registered as "security companies", as legitimate businesses. We have also asked MOM officers directly about this issue - the official view is that there is nothing criminal about "providing security" in Singapore. If anything, it is the workers who are seen as criminal/potentially criminal for the perceived threat of runnning away, hence causing the $5000 forfeit borne by the employer - an assumption which already shrouds the worker in doubt and suspicion, hence reinforcing the perceived need of these repatriation companies and more generally, exacerbating the discrimination and vulnerabilities these workers are subjected to.

[ptechnix]

Strange that this amount of power to restrain and detain with force and minimal/no evidence be granted to a private company. Government agencies I can understand, but a private company?

No innocent until proven guilty? It's even worse than suspected terrorists being arrested and hauled away with no substantial evidence.

You'd think human rights organisations and the media would have a field day tearing these guys a new one and giving the Minister in charge a headache!

[delightt]

In Singapore you're guilty until proven innocent, I think that's been made pretty clear.

Thanks Jia for posting this. It's amazing the arrogance of Singaporeans, to treat others so inhumanely - it's unbelievable that we ourselves could adopt this colonial mentality and approach. The reluctance of law enforcement to help people who can't help themselves; their blatant elitism, racism and xenophobia is truly a shame to the nation.

[haitushia]

hey,

i'm going to email jolovan's essay to all my friends, including your comments on it in the beginning.
ok?

[jia77]

Sure, sounds good :)