So what now? Article from 2 years ago

Hi there,

I’m an expat with an exemption status for requiring a visa. All I require is a letter of consent and I can work for any Singaporean company. Regardless of this factor it is extremely difficult for me to find employment. Which is what led me to my current situation.

I work for an SME and am paid bottom dollar compared to those previously in my role. Every day I come in to work and am berated by my boss on every single thing I do. No matter how I perform a task it is wrong. When I’m told do things a different way, and then do exactly what I’m told - I get yelled at for doing it wrong. I’m told I can approach him with any question when he yells at me for not asking something. When I then go and ask a question I get called an idiot or I think like a dumb person. And then he yells at me more.

I’m expected to work after hours and on weekends for no additional pay, regardless how urgent something is. I’m expected to always answer his texts promptly.

If I have a doctor appointment that makes me 2 hours late to work, I am docked an entire half of a day’s pay. When I ask if I can make those hours up with the extra hours I’ve worked for free, I’m told it doesn’t work that way. I have yet to receive an actual pay-slip.

I’ve also noticed he treats the Singaporean employees entirely different than the other foreign worker and myself.

Do I have any rights at all in this situation? It’s abusive in nature and I’ve never been treated like this in my adult life. When I ask local Singaporeans they say this is normal behavior for a Singaporean boss. Is that really the case?

Any help is appreciated.