JWB Launches Second Edition of the Singapore Practitioner’s Manual for Migrant Workers

Two years after publication, JWB is proud to release the second edition of our Practitioner’s Manual for Migrant Workers: Pursuing Civil Claims in Singapore and From Abroad.  Building on community feedback, the manual includes updates to the law, and expands on key legal issues not included in the first edition.

The manual guides lawyers, paralegals, and caseworkers in identifying potential civil claims for damages that migrant workers suffer when facing labour exploitation or human trafficking. It also provides a critical cross-border element, showing how clients can bring legal claims against their abusers, even after returning to their home countries.

Key updates include:

1. Details on the new simplified process for Magistrate Court claims, effective November 1, 2014;
2. An expanded section on bankruptcy and winding up proceedings;
3. A primer on the new requirement that employers provide and maintain key employment records such as detailed payslips, effective April 1, 2016; and
4. References to the increased monetary limits for medical expenses, permanent incapacity, and death under the Work Injury Compensation Act, applicable to claims arising after January 1, 2016.

We are immensely grateful to the Pro Bono lawyers and JWB Legal Fellows who contributed their time and expertise to the second edition. Order an online copy of the Second Edition. Donations of US $100 or more will include a hard copy personally shipped to your address.

Finally, we are also pleased to announce that our Manual has now been translated into Bahasa Indonesia (Manual Bagi Para Praktisi Buruh Migran: Mengajukan Gugatan Perdata di Singapura dan dari Luar Negeri). This will make our work available to the network of Indonesian legal aid lawyers, caseworkers and government officials who support migrant workers going to and from Singapore. The Bahasa Indonesia Manual is available free for download. (2nd edition coming soon)

Looking for another jurisdiction? Click here to learn about our Hong Kong Practitioner’s Manual.