Comments, opinions and an occasional ramble
Migrant workers should not be denied the right to know their rights
This is a pretty interesting blog entry from a Today journalist about the evil things rogue employers of migrant workers do to those they hire.
Some of the ridiculous terms in the contracts, according to that entry, include:
- A $100 fine for raising one’s voice at the employer.
- A $500 fine plus a trip to the police station for not surrendering passport to employer.
- Worker to be liable for legal, transport and administrative costs to the employer if the worker files a complaint against the employer, which can amount to $300 a day.
Apparently, many employers seize information booklets prepared by the manpower ministry containing information about rights accorded to migrant workers when they have a chance to in order to prevent migrant workers from being informed of their rights.
If such practices are true, then I think it is necessary that the manpower ministry do more to ensure fairer standards for migrant workers. The easiest way is to make it mandatory for employers of migrant workers to attend a short talk about the rights of migrant workers within a week of arrival to prevent rogue employers from denying information by seizing information booklets. You can seize booklets, but you can’t seize information that’s already in the mind.
And, the manpower ministry doesn’t have to send an officer to give the talk. Local NGOs that work with migrant workers can be tapped on to give the talk.
Migrant workers have their rights too, they should not be denied the right to know their rights.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Aaron Ng on 19/03/2010 at 11:03 am, and is filed under Ramblings. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 2 years ago
Yo Aaron! You still blogging ah!! It’s been ages since we last communicated. Ho bo? You got children already or not?
about 2 years ago
To the Brotherhood,
Most of the gamers who make up the confederation have arrived in Munich. The whole world is in Muchen! The good news is we have managed to locate most of them except a few. This means we can begin the conference most probably sometime around this afternoon.
As for Darkness and his crew. We understand, he refuses to sit on the same table as the Council. We do not want to get involved with your internal politics.
Darkness has categorically stated, “he will not sit on the same table IF the confederation provisions a seat for the council.” He has also vetoed the motion. As some of you may already realize the Mercantile Guild and most of the Coscas are backing this veto. So we are unable to even start the 2010 underground conference, technically, we do not have a quorum.
Due to this impasse. The Confederation of gamers proposes the following. Two meetings will be held concurrently. They will be chaired by us, but conducted separately.
One in the Muchen Beer hall off the Platz with the Council of wise, who Darkness & his crew does want to do business with.
The other will be held at the Munich College for Music and Theatre: 48°08?46?N 11°34?04?E? / ?48.14611°N 11.56778°E? / 48.14611.Or somewhere around there.
Thank You
HSD (Liaison officer for the EU confederation of gamers based in Munich)
about 2 years ago
We will keep you all posted at dotseng@wordpress.com
about 2 years ago
To the Brotherhood and onlookers who form the confederation.
It is very clear to always of us. The Brotherhood is now divided into two camps.
To facilitate ease of communication. We will refer to Brotherhood Team A, who represent the Council.
Team B will be headed by Darkness 2010 and his crew along with the Guilds.
I have personally touched based with Darkness 2010 this morning for breakfast. He will not be attending the conference as he remains steadfast where the Council is present he will not want to have anything to do with them. This in his own words is final and non-negotiable.
We believe he has also been contracted by the Munchen guilds better known as the Interspacing Metal Exchange to write a travelogue about our wonderful city in Germany called Munich. He has informed me instead of attending the gaming conference. He will have to dedicate himself to this enterprise. Since Darkness the writer has quiet a large following in his travelogues. He will probably not attend a single meeting staged by the confederation of gamers.
He informed me privately, should the council not be present, he will gladly attend. As it is. I rather read the minutes of the meeting and we do not want equity.
We have also be informed the gaming confederation will no longer be headquartered in Singapore due to unknown and persistent Doss attacks and another location needs to be found. Darkness has suggested Munich. The Guilds are backing him. The other group of the Brotherhood insist it should be based in Singapore / Malaysia. The confederation of underground gamers will decide the outcome today.
Thank You
HSD (Liaison officer for the EU confederation of gamers based in Munich)- I have posted this in the strangelands, slf 1 to 6, PBK, Ekunaba and all known sites that is regularly visited by the brotherhood
about 2 years ago
It will not be the same with Darkness. Some of us flew in from S. America. Others saved up for months. Then there are those who saved up on the leave. Not to mention those who had to make excuses to their wife,s. We all did this to hear Darkness talk in the Underground conference. Two time winner of spycraft. Recepient of the highest gaming award ever accorded to a player. Who wants to listen to the Council. Now I hear Darkness has been paid to write a travelogue on Munich! He is in Munich. But he will not attend a single one of our conference. This is all the fault and doing of the Council.
about 2 years ago
Without Darkness. You might as well all consider this a big holiday. No wonder no one is taking this Munich Underground Conference seriously. The turn out on the first day was spectacular, but when everyone found out the brotherhood is now divided into two halves. Most people just left. As for Darkness. He was last seen riding his bicycle and drinking beer at Sendinger Strasse. When he was asked why he didnt want to attend the conference. He said, providing the council is there. I want nothing to do with this whole affair.
about 2 years ago
For over 2,000 years the brotherhood has guided all of us. Before the storm comes, they have always appeared to warn us. In times of war, again they were the oracle. In times of plenty they would be ones to tell us all when to till the soil, sow the seeds and harvest. Now brother and brother cannot even sit down in one room, without one group throwing chairs and insults at the other. I dont think the confederation will ever site their new gaming server in Singapore after this. It is not because of the persistent ddos attacks that none of us can figure out. It is because the brotherhood these days is no longer behaving like the brotherhood.
about 2 years ago
We the confederation, do not want to get involved with the internal politics of the brotherhood.
However, we Muchen Guilds and many others do believe it is fair that Darkness and his crew are not even allowed to deliver his key note address to the confederation.
I would like to say many gamers through out the world have saved up for months to travel all the way to our historical city.
Many of them consider this the highlight of the gaming scene. As this is the time when the brotherhood usually shares with us all their plans as to how to grow our respective businesses.
We hope what the divisions within the brotherhood. They can set aside their differences and hopefully come together to see the bigger picture.
Thank You
HSD (Liaison officer for the EU confederation of gamers based in Munich)-
about 2 years ago
I meant to say. Many of us do NOT believe it is fair for the Council of the wise to stop Darkness from addressing the Confederation directly.
about 2 years ago
Yo FO, it’s been a while! I’m doing the usual, working and stuff. No kids yet, and doing wedding dinner at year end. Let’s meet up for coffee once my semester is over.
about 2 years ago
Hey Aaron,
Still see the brotherhood around. Some things change but some things stay the same huh. Yeah let’s meet up man. I still owe you money for dinner last time, so I treat =)
about 2 years ago
Hi Beckenbaure,
I saw your posts on TOC and was particularly interested in the Brotherhood. Which lead me on to here. Sorry to hijack your blog Aaron. Not sure how I can be enlighten here. What are the pre-requisites for information? Do I too have to belong to a guild? I am curious and I am keen.