Singapore introduces 'Pre-Departure video' for migrant workers

A 14-minute 'Pre-Departure Video' has been made by the Singapore government for its migrant workers including Indians, explaining the proper employment practices and workers' rights in the country to help them avoid getting duped by rogue agents and employers.
The video is one of the latest initiatives by the Singapore Manpower Ministry and Migrant Workers Centre (MWC) to make workers aware of their rights even before they step into the country, The Straits Times reported today.
"It is important now that we put in place this 'Pre-Departure Video' to let them understand more about how and what and when they come to Singapore, what kind of rights they have," said Yeo Guat Kwang, chairman of MWC.

"Because many of them told us before they come, they are already locked in with a big sum of money. And at the same time, they really do not know the terms and conditions that they will face when they come to Singapore and work," he said.
MWC said that while some organisations can seek recourse for abuses that take place in Singapore, there is little they can do to recover overpaid agency fees done overseas.
A two-minute trailer of the "MWC Pre-Departure Video" was screened at a Diwali celebration event yesterday evening, which was attended by about 5,000 migrant workers who received free dinner, the report said.

The event was held at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India where the December 2013 riot involving migrant workers broke out.

MWC said it aims to make the videos available in the workers' home countries, at places like the overseas Construction Skills Testing Centres.
In Singapore, the organisation plans to screen the videos in workers' dormitories, and on board buses that ferry migrant workers to and from their dormitories and work places, the report said.
The video will be made available in the workers' native languages, especially those from India, Bangladesh and China, who are often vulnerable to such employment malpractices, it added.