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I have been following on this case since the first news report about him being terminated by his employer over the alleged loan shark harassments. Is it that our new newbie PM is still within probation period, not enough power to intervene? While I understand where MOM and ICA is coming from, but the authorities seems to have miss the elephant in the room! With SPF concluding their investigation and did not find any evidence that Mr Sharif had borrowed from unlicensed moneylenders, should MOM go after his employer to review the reason for terminating his employment instead? Btw, this Uddin Sharif is also an influencer, and is also the first migrant worker to win the Singapore Book Award for Best Non-Fiction Title, is known for raising awareness about the challenges migrant workers face living in Singapore, where he talk about the lockdown during Covid-19, as well as railing against the transport of migrant workers in the backs of lorries. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Manpower Ministry had received an appeal made on Mr Uddin Sharif's behalf by a resident in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's constituency. Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/migrant-worker-uddin-sharif-loanshark-harassment-work-pass-not-extended-ica-mom-4375816 A Bangladeshi migrant worker who was fired by his employer in March after being harassed by purported "loan sharks" will not have his Special Pass extended beyond Friday (May 31), Singapore authorities said on Thursday night. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had received an appeal on Mr Uddin Sharif's behalf by a resident of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC. The appeal was made during a Meet-the-People session on May 29. "ICA and MOM have reviewed the appeal, and will not be granting an extension of Mr Sharif’s current Special Pass beyond May 31," said the authorities. In a Facebook post on May 30, Mr Sharif said two friends from Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC had gone to see Prime Minister Lawrence Wong about his case. Mr Wong holds Meet-the-People sessions every Wednesday. On Friday morning, he posted pictures of himself and friends at Changi Airport's departure hall, hours after ICA and MOM said his Special Pass would not be extended. In their statement on Thursday night, MOM and ICA reiterated the reasons previously given by the police and MOM as to why Mr Sharif's Special Pass was not extended. They said he had been given sufficient time since the termination of his work permit on Apr 11 to look for a new job under the Temporary Job Scheme (TJS), while police investigations into the unlicensed moneylender harassment reports were ongoing. According to MOM's website, a migrant worker required to stay in Singapore to assist in investigations can apply for a job under the TJS, although this would be subject to the ministry’s approval. MOM and the Migrant Workers' Centre had linked him up with employment agencies to support this job search. Upon his request. the ministry had also provided him with an email confirmation of his TJS eligibility on May 13. "We understand that Mr Sharif had turned down job offers including working as a packer and a hotel cleaner," said ICA and MOM. "As police investigations into the case have concluded, and Mr Sharif has not found new employment, he has to leave Singapore." Mr Sharif's Special Pass was initially due to expire on May 24, but this was extended by three days after he requested additional time to make departure arrangements. A further extension to May 31 for granted, "given the circumstances of his case", said ICA and MOM. MOM and the police said previously that "extensive investigations" were conducted to identify the alleged person who had harassed Mr Sharif, his former and potential employers. "Should Mr Sharif wish to return to Singapore for work in the future, he will have to apply afresh for a work permit based on the prevailing criteria," they added. The police have not found any evidence that Mr Sharif had borrowed from unlicensed moneylenders. Mr Sharif’s case had been under investigation after he filed a police report in March over the harassment he faced, which included debtor’s notes addressed to Mr Sharif at his ex-employer’s daughter’s home. The incident prompted his ex-employer, Hiap Seng Piling Construction, to raise the issue with the authorities. While Mr Sharif denied ever taking any loan, the company terminated his employment and said in the letter it was done “under police and MOM officer advice”. The police and MOM clarified at the time that this was not the case. The authorities had also said then that they had reached out to Mr Sharif “to address his concerns and offer our assistance”.

Source : https://mothership.sg/2020/08/dorm-operator-s11-jonathan-cheah/ 2 takeaways from the article : 1) Toa Payoh has fewer than 14,000 residents. 2) Razor-thin margins. 70% of revenue goes to Rent. 30% of revenue goes to Utilities. In 2015, Cheah told The Businesss Times that his Changi Lodge 2 generated an annual revenue of S$15 million. The paper also reported that the Punggol Lodge would bring in an annual revenue of S$55 million when operating at full capacity.

IKEA Donates 800 Mugs After Learning Migrant Workers Drink Straight From Milk Cartons source: https://mustsharenews.com/ikea-donates-mugs/ IKEA Donates 800 Mugs After Non-Profit Finds Migrant Workers Drinking Straight From Cartons When we drink directly from cartons, most of the time it’s because we’re lazy. But when one volunteer spotted migrant workers drinking milk directly from the carton, she was shook to discover it was because they had no cups. Upon learning of this, non-profit organisation It’s Raining Raincoats reached out to donors. And before they knew it, furniture giant IKEA had come on board and donated 800 mugs to the cause. On Friday (24 Apr), they detailed this heartwarming story on their Facebook page. IKEA donates 800 mugs to migrant workers From cartons of milk, migrant workers now have cartons of IKEA mugs as well. Those with colour preferences can choose between turquoise and light green. We’re sure that the mugs were hot commodities when distributed, given the long but aptly spaced queue. We sure hope that this donation has sparked a little joy in their lives. IKEA donates snacks as well On top of the 800 mugs, IKEA also donated cartons of snacks from their food outlet. In line with Covid-19 guidelines, the furniture giant closed all their restaurants. We’re glad to see that the food is not wasted, and donated to a worthy cause. Now migrant workers can happily snack, while taking a drink from their new swanky mugs. Every little bit helps They say it’s the little things in life that matter, but migrant workers don’t even have “little things” like mugs. This shows that all acts of kindness, no matter how small thing, can make a big difference. Kudos to IKEA for stepping forward. Let’s not take things for granted, and help where we can. Together we can get through this tough time.