May 2008: 600 workers from various companies were crammed over two floors in bedbug-infested dorm, in converted factory building in MacPherson.

One room, about the size of a two-room public housing flat, housed 54 workers.

March 2008: MOM investigations found 38 workers living in a 1,800 sq ft Tanjong Katong Road shophouse that had just one toilet. Each of its three bedrooms had eight to 10workers sleeping on double-decker beds. More slept on similar beds in the narrow living room.

February 2008: 68 Bangladeshi workers walked out on their jobs after they were not paid for four to six months.

The company settled the pay dispute with 45 of them, but later breached a Labour Court Order when it did not pay the remaining 23 workers by 30 May.

October 2007: General manager of publishing firm Starprint Production was fined $15,000 for claiming that six foreigners were paid $1,800 a month when they were paid only $800. He lied to get S-Passes, which are for foreigners with specialist skills.

June 2007: Cleaning company Maint-Kleen was the first employer to be prosecuted for failing to provide acceptable accommodation for workers.

It was fined $7,500 after MOM officials found four of its foreign workers living in a Waterloo Street public toilet.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Aug 8, 2008.

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