Transient Workers Count Too - TWC2

13/10/2026

At TWC2, we constantly see migrant workers who face structural disadvantages when seeking justice against errant employers.

When employers demand hefty recruitment fees, illicit kickbacks, or simply don’t pay their salaries, workers are the ones who bear the burden of proof, navigating the legal system in a foreign language.

Legal allies play a huge role in the work we do. It wouldn't be possible without their willingness to fight for the most vulnerable in our society.

But the best ones do something more: they keep us believing that a fairer world is achievable.

Charmaine Yap is one of them.

From her days as an NUS student in 2013, she has had her boots on the ground, interviewing migrant workers with us to understand the challenges they face.

Since then, we've witnessed her growth into a stellar lawyer whose gumption and fighting spirit has made a difference for our clients. We're ever grateful for her work at our Wednesday Legal Clinic, and now for her pro bono advice.

From the TWC2 team and workers we serve: thank you, Charmaine, and huge congratulations on this well-deserved award from the International Bar Association. 🙏 We look forward to doing meaningful work with you for years to come.

30/09/2026

Last week, we asked 50 Tamil and Bangladeshi workers a simple question: what makes the hard work worth it?

We hosted an afternoon of sharing at Visual Arts Centre Singapore, and we're grateful to everyone who came and opened up about their struggles and their successes.

The day also included a buffet lunch, games, and prizes, thanks to Indian Women's Association Singapore. Then, we hosted a job portal workshop by Blue Skys on ethical recruitment options, and closed the day with an open-top bus tour around the city.

Events like this matter for two reasons. They help workers know where to turn when things go wrong. And they help us understand what matters most to them.

Read some of their words ❤️‍🔥👇

11/09/2026

For 21 years, TWC2 has assisted low-wage migrant workers in need. We provide advice on the law, casework services, and welfare support to help workers meet basic needs during their claims.

Now more than ever, we are raising $500,000 to keep our doors open for the workers who need us most.

Every $1 you donate will be worth $1.50 under the Tote Board Foundation’s Enhanced Fund-Raising Programme (capped at total $125,000, subject to Tote Board’s T&Cs).

If you can give, please do. If you can't right now, sharing this post would be just as appreciated - help us reach someone who can!

Full campaign 👇
https://nextchapter.twc2.org.sg/

To donate via Paynow (preferred) 👇
Screenshot the picture below and upload it into your bank app. Include reference "next chapter"

To donate via giving.sg👇
https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/next-chapter-2026

To donate via Give.Asia 👇
https://give.asia/next-chapter-2026

10/09/2026

Ministerial salaries are increasing.

But let's not forget that Singapore’s success also depends on a huge number of low-wage workers, both local and foreign.

1 in 5 people who live in Singapore are low-wage Work Permit holders: the domestic, construction, marine and service workers the economy runs on.

We hope that PM Wong will consider donating part of his salary increase to help low-wage migrant workers (but we welcome donations from everyone, not just PM Wong!)

The fastest way to donate:
Upload a screenshot of the QR code into your bank app.
Include reference “next chapter”

More info and ways to give 👇
https://nextchapter.twc2.org.sg/

21/08/2026

Volunteer roles available! 🙌🫶

When migrant workers are in crisis, TWC2 is who they call.
Our volunteers make sure that no worker faces their problems alone.

If you’d like to get involved, join us next month at our September learning session, to find out more 👉 https://twc2sep2026.eventbrite.sg/

📅 Tuesday 8 Sep 2026
⏰ 7.30pm - 8.30pm
📍 1C Rowell Road, S207958
🚄 Farrer Park MRT Exit C

Sign up here 👉 https://twc2sep2026.eventbrite.sg/

Available roles:
❤️ Meal Programme (TCRP) volunteer
❤️ Office casework support volunteer
❤️ Legal support volunteer
❤️ Communications volunteer
❤️ Research volunteer

19/07/2026

14/07/2026

Join us this Friday to learn more about migrant labour laws and enforcement in Singapore🔥

📅 Fri, 17 July 2026
⏰ 7.30pm – 9.00pm (reg. from 7pm)
📍 The Arts and Civil Space, CT Hub 1
Hosted by Function 8

Register here: https://f8eventregistration.subscribepage.io/

CHANGING WORLDS SERIES #2

Last month, more than 100 migrant workers turned up at the Ministry of Manpower seeking help for unpaid wages and housing arrangements. We have invited Alex Au to speak about these important issues this Friday, 17 July 2026 at 7.30pm at The Arts & Civil Space, CT Hub 1, 2 Kallang Avenue, #03-16, Singapore 339407.

Alex Au was first involved in civil society as a gay activist in the 1990s. Then he segued into socio-political commentary through blogging before becoming active in Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), an organisation dedicated to improving conditions for migrant labour. Alex is currently the vice-president of TWC2.

You are welcome to attend the talk. Drop us an email at: [email protected]

06/07/2026

Migrant workers do difficult and uncomfortable jobs in Singapore, to support their families back home. We only hope that they are paid fairly for their work.

Over the last few years, TWC2 has seen a rising number of migrant workers who have not been paid properly. In 2025 alone, we assisted 882 workers with their salary claims.

But no matter how many individual workers we assist, more workers will find themselves in need of help, unless their systemic vulnerabilities are addressed.

We sincerely urge Singapore Ministry of Manpower to make improvements to the Employment Act as it undergoes a review this year, and hope that existing laws will be better enforced so that fewer migrant workers will end up in this situation.

Read our proposed amendments to the Employment Act, together with HOME: Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, Here With You, and Workers Make Possible 👇
https://tinyurl.com/EAAmendments

A week after the last complaint, news of the workers approaching the MOM Services Centre en masse broke.

03/07/2026

All eyes are on the Singapore Ministry of Manpower to see how it learns from this incident, as the dust begins to settle around the 400 unpaid migrant workers.

As senior The Straits Times columnist Dawn Tan asks:

"How did so many workers end up going unpaid before the problem came fully into view? ...The question is whether our labour protection system is better at reacting to wage theft than preventing it."

Currently, Singapore's Employment Act is undergoing its first review since 2018 and it is THE chance to improve our labour systems.

TWC2, along with HOME: Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, Here With You, and Workers Make Possible have submitted a joint report of proposed amendments to the Act.

Keep an eye out for more updates on the review.

Many thanks to ST for such clear and incisive journalism. Read the full commentary 👇

The question is whether our labour protection system is better at reacting to wage theft than preventing it. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.