SINGAPORE: Group of Singapore workers are stranded here as their work permits have been cancelled by the Singapore authorities.
The workers, all from Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, were employed by a Chinese firm through local agents who got the workers work permits valid for two years last January. The workers had arrived on tourist visas,
The workers allege that they paid 3,000 dollars (about rupees 30,000) to the employer, selling all their belongings or borrowing money from relatives and friends to raise the amount. “Now we are stranded and absolutely helpless,” they said.
The workers said that the firm had asked them to return as their permits were cancelled, but was not prepared to give us any compensation or the amount we had paid. The company had not even paid the promised wages,” they said,
They are appealing to the labour ministry to redress their plight, they said.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 15, 1990
