'I cannot go home without the money'
The Labour Court in Singapore last month ordered a construction company boss to pay a Bangladeshi construction worker $7,363 in unpaid wages.
But when the employer did not meet the payment deadline on January 12, the court's hands were tied. Instead, the worker was asked to go to the State Courts to take action to recover the sum, a step that would require him to fork out money he does not have, reported The Straits Times Singapore yesterday.
The case highlights a little-known limitation of the Labour Court, and the dilemma workers face when employers refuse to comply with its orders.
At the centre of the dispute is Islam Rafiqul, a 42-year-old construction worker, and his employer Md Shamsuzzaman, sole proprietor of Geosray Engineering and Services.
Islam, a work permit holder, started working for the company in February 2015, earning about $700 a month in basic salary and $1,000 a month with overtime.
He did not receive his full salary between October 2015 and June 2016. From July last year, the salary payment stopped completely. He complained to the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore last September and was given a special pass to remain in Singapore while his salary claim was being processed. The pass prohibits him from working.
“I have not sent money home for many months,” said Islam, who is supporting his wife and two children. “I cannot go home without the money.”
The ministry held meetings between Islam and his employer in September and October. The employer agreed to pay, but later went back on his word.
Shamsuzzaman, a Bangladeshi national, who is a Singapore permanent resident, said he could not pay Rafiqul because he owed more than $100,000 to a main contractor.
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