Daily Lessons from Life 20 January 2014 - Survey shows foreign workers feel well taken care of in S'pore: Tan Chuan-Jin

"Survey shows foreign workers feel well taken care of in S'pore: Tan Chuan-Jin - CNA 20 January 2014

SINGAPORE: An independent study by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has found that foreign workers generally feel "well taken care of" in Singapore.
Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin revealed that more than 90 per cent of those surveyed "did not have any employment issues" and 80 per cent were "happy working in Singapore".
A few who worked elsewhere found Singapore to be better as "it was a safer environment".
The survey was conducted in November 2013 by MOM with over 150 foreign construction workers at the airport who were departing Singapore.
Mr Tan cited the survey in his written Parliamentary answer to a question filed by Nominated MP Janice Koh, who asked if MOM would consider commissioning an independent study to examine "possible social tensions, discrimination or any underlying employment-related grievances" faced by foreign workers.
Mr Tan said MOM agrees that there is merit in collecting information to understand the issues that workers face, with a view to take appropriate interventions.
He said that in 2011, MOM and non-government organisation the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) commissioned an independent survey company to conduct face-to-face interviews with about 3,000 Work Permit Holders (WPHs) and 500 S Pass Holders on their experiences of working in Singapore.
The survey included questions on employment-related issues.
The survey found that 90 per cent of the respondents were "satisfied" with their overall experience of working in Singapore, and that 80 per cent wished to continue working in Singapore with either their current employer or a new one.
Seventy per cent of respondents also said that they would recommend Singapore to their friends and family as a place for employment.
Mr Tan said the findings of this survey are available on the MOM website.
He added that MOM will continue to monitor the situation and conduct periodic surveys and studies, as necessary."

I guessed the COI for Little India Riot has its conclusion DONE by other people NOW that the acting MOM's reply in parliament ALREADY revealed there is NO FWs' unhappiness in Singapore! Or what they like to say: got its work cut out!

Lessons for me are:

1. MUST we rush to PROVIDE answers when the government HAD commissioned a COI to investigate a very serious rioting in 40 years?;

2. what type of impression will it create with the doubters? and the neutral? even IF the various studies quoted are valid and done by 'parties deemed independent'?;

3. IF everything is so good and 'perfect', what could account for the sudden combustion of emotion on that fateful night where 400 FWs rioting VIOLENTLY? Is it SOLELY due to the 'alcohol' effect? What about those KNOWN cases of FWs not being paid? injured FWs being left to die (at least 1 known case right?), and the 'neglected SMRT bus drivers' quarters that partly triggered the FIRST illegal strike in Singapore in the last 3 or 4 decades in 2013? Are the mainly PRC SMRT bus drivers NOT considered FWs?

I am SERIOUSLY very puzzle as to WHY the government is SO keen to conclude that there is NO ill treatment of FWs in Singapore. That ALL FWs are happy working in Singapore. That they would gladly introduce their friends to come and work in Singapore.

I sincerely hope that ALL the studies are RIGHT. That FWs truly are happy in Singapore as there is NO WISH nor STOMACH to have any VIOLENT riot in Singapore.