MOM: No advise to employer to terminate worker Uddin MD Sharif over harassment

SINGAPORE: Earlier, Uddin MD Sharif, a Bangladeshi migrant worker and writer, disclosed that his employer had terminated him due to ongoing harassment and false accusations against him of owing money.

Despite both Mr Sharif and his employer filing multiple police reports regarding the harassment, he received a termination notice from the company stating that the decision was made under the advice of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the police, which left him feeling deeply betrayed.

MOM and Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Saturday (6 April) in a Facebook post clarified that they did not advice the company to terminate Mr Sharif, and Mr Sharif is allowed to remain in Singapore while the investigations are ongoing.

In its Facebook post, MOM clarified that the daughter of Mr Sharif’s employer had sought advice from Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre on 9 March after receiving debtor’s notes and hell notes addressed to Mr Sharif at her residential address.

MOM revealed that a police oficer suggested “harassment might cease if worker left employer”

“In view of her concerns about the continued harassment at her home from unknown parties and the possible risks to her family’s safety, the on-duty officer said that the police would step up patrols around her home and alert her condominium’s security,” said MOM.

The MOM statement revealed that the officer, out of concern for her family’s and her well-being, also advised her generally that harassment would usually stop after the work pass of a foreign worker being harassed had been cancelled, and the worker no longer worked for the employer.

On 11 March, a representative of Mr Sharif’s employer contacted MOM with a general query on the cancellation of a worker’s work permit due to his alleged involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities, resulting in the employer facing harassment by unlicensed moneylenders.

MOM said the representative did not make any reference to Mr Sharif during the call, or elaborate on the details of the case.

“MOM did not advise the employer to terminate Mr Sharif’s employment. MOM informed the employer that should the company decide to terminate a work permit, it must notify the worker, settle outstanding salaries and bear the cost of repatriation. ”

On 11 March, Mr Sharif received a termination notice from his employer.

MOM said that on the same day, he also lodged a Police report on the alleged harassment by unlicensed moneylenders and said that he was a victim of harassment.

“The Police subsequently informed the daughter of Mr Sharif’s employer of this, and shared with her the possibility that Mr Sharif did not borrow from unlicensed moneylenders, ” explained MOM.

The statement also revealed that the police investigation into Mr Sharif’s case is ongoing as it has been classified as one of intentional harassment, under Section 3(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014.

“The termination of Mr Sharif’s employment was a decision by his employer, ” asserted MOM.

“MOM and SPF have reached out to Mr Sharif to address his concerns and offer our assistance. Mr Sharif is allowed to remain in Singapore while the investigations are ongoing.”

Mr Sharif expressed gratitude to the Singaporean community

In response to MOM’s latest update, Mr Sharif expressed gratitude to the supportive Singaporean community in a video posted on Workers Make Possible (WMP) Instagram.

He shared that after widespread sharing of his video and petition, the Migrant Workers’ Center facilitated a meeting with MOM and the Police.

“They told me I will be able to stay in Singapore on Special Pass until the investigation is complete,” he shared the good news, and added that the authorities permitted him to seek temporary employment during this period.

Despite some progress, Mr Sharif remains uncertain about his future as his termination stands.

“I don’t know where I will stay or how I will survive after 12 April,” he anticipates the need to find new employment once the investigation concludes.

He hopes for a future where migrant workers won’t endure similar ordeals.

The scheduled public event at Palms Bistro on Saturday night, aimed at showing solidarity with Mr Sharif, also proceeded as planned. Attendees engaged in readings of passages from Sharif’s books shared messages of solidarity and reflected on the state of migrant workers’ rights in Singapore.

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Mr Sharif, who has been contributing to Singapore’s construction, tunnelling, and piling sectors since 2008, is not only a dedicated worker but also a multifaceted individual.

Beyond his professional duties, Sharif is a poet and the author of two books: ‘Stranger to Myself‘ and ‘Stranger to My World’‘.

He is also a fervent advocate for migrant workers’ rights, striving to combat the pervasive notion of disposability that often plagues this community in Singapore.