Zakir Hossain

2022 - 6 - 23

Long-time migrant worker whose work permit was not renewed ... (CNA)

The Manpower Ministry added that Mr Zakir has often written about migrant workers during his time in Singapore. "We renewed his work pass many times despite his ...

Mr Zakir has been permitted to work in Singapore for a long time, though he was a long-time activist. "I thought very hard about what would make me not eligible for a work permit, as I have done nothing wrong. "The ability of a foreigner to work in Singapore is not an entitlement. "Mr Zakir’s false statements could have incited migrant workers at Westlite Tukang and elswhere, inflamed their emotions and possibly caused incidents of public disorder. Rather, MOM officers and dormitory personnel engaged the workers to address their concerns. We draw the line, however, when public posts are misleading, false or deliberately provocative," said MOM.

MOM statement in response to media queries on the non-renewal of ... (Ministry of Manpower)

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) takes into account various factors to assess an applicant's suitability to work in Singapore and for work passes to be ...

The ability of a foreigner to work in Singapore is not an entitlement. Mr Zakir has been permitted to work in Singapore for a long time, though he was a long-time activist. Mr Zakir’s work pass was determined by the Controller of Work Passes to be ineligible for renewal. We reduced the risk of transmission among migrant workers, made effective vaccinations available to all of them at the same time as Singaporeans, provided them comprehensive and timely healthcare support, and ensured they were paid even during the Circuit Breaker period when they could not work. By Mr Zakir’s own account, Singapore has allowed him to work here for a very long time – 19 years. Non-residents do not have an automatic right to work in Singapore.

MOM says migrant worker Zakir Hossain 'overstayed welcome', cites ... (TODAY)

SINGAPORE — A migrant worker who had been working in Singapore for 19 years and had written often about the plight of his fellow foreign workers had ...

He said that his work permit had expired and been deemed “ineligible” for renewal, with no clear explanation from the authorities. His work pass has since expired,” MOM said. They never surrounded the dormitory or engaged workers there.” This followed a closed door discussion between Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and an unnamed individual helping him with the situation. It referred to an online post made by the worker on Oct 16, 2021, where he called migrant workers here “work slaves” and alleged that soldiers and armoured vehicles had surrounded a dormitory called Westlite Tukang. MOM said that it was a "false characterisation" of what had happened. - MOM said the worker had "overstayed his welcome", and cited "false" public posts in deciding not to renew his work permit

Migrant worker advocate whose work pass was not renewed made ... (The Straits Times)

Mr Zakir Hossain Khokan has returned to Bangladesh after working in Singapore's construction sector for nearly two decades. Read more at straitstimes.com.

It added: "The ability of a foreigner to work in Singapore is not an entitlement. The appeal was considered and MOM informed him that it was unsuccessful. "His work pass has since expired. Appeals made on his behalf by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals, including MP Louis Ng and former NMP Anthea Ong, were not successful. "Through his time in Singapore, he has written often about migrant workers here. "There were no soldiers, let alone armoured vehicles, around."

Migrant worker who was deported has 7 family members depending ... (The Independent)

In an open letter on Wednesday (Jun 22), migrant worker Zakir Hossain Khokan, 43, wrote that he was deported from Singapore “with no clear reason and plenty ...

Mr Zakir has been permitted to work in Singapore for a long time, though he was a long-time activist. He cannot prolong his stay when he no longer has a job in Singapore. He has over-stayed his welcome. The ability of a foreigner to work in Singapore is not an entitlement. Mr Zakir’s work pass was determined by the Controller of Work Passes to be ineligible for renewal. By Mr Zakir’s own account, Singapore has allowed him to work here for a very long time – 19 years. Through his time in Singapore, he has written often about migrant workers here. The ministry said that, by Mr Zakir’s own account, Singapore has allowed him to work here for 19 years. “Through his time in Singapore, he has written often about migrant workers here. I need the job to support my family back in Bangladesh and I have formed many valuable friendships here”. The foreign worker would also have been given the opportunity to be heard if his employer alleged that he committed an offence. The system reflected that he had “an adverse record with a government agency”. He can appeal against the decision as provided for under the respective legislations.”

MOM: Migrant worker-activist-poet 'overstayed welcome', work pass ... (Mothership.sg)

The Ministry of Manpower said some of his public posts were "misleading, false or deliberately provocative".

His work pass has since expired. MOM said the ability for a foreigner to work in Singapore "is not an entitlement". However, MOM later explained to Zakir that the "adverse record" categorisation was an "administrative error", and that the reason for the non-renewal of his work pass should have just been "ineligible", according to Zakir. MOM specifically cited one of Zakir's posts on Oct. 16, 2021, and said he had labelled migrant workers in Singapore as "work slaves", and dormitories as "work camps". He expressed confusion over the non-renewal of his work pass, and said his time in Singapore had come to an "abrupt end". The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (Jun. 22) explained in a statement that some of Zakir's public writing was "misleading, false or deliberately provocative" and that he had "overstayed his welcome".