Nightspot Jaiho in Singapore where survivors were abused in September 2016

Entertainment club operator, Alagar Balasubramanian, has been convicted of labour trafficking with help from Hagar Singapore, after a 6-year legal battle. Mr. Balasubramanian was sentenced to three years and five months in prison and fined $27,365 over three charges under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014. The Singapore Courts also ordered him to pay $2,722 in compensation.

Investigations showed three women he hired to work at Jaiho Club had been abused and had salaries withheld. The women were misled, forced to sign employment contracts that were not properly explained to them and continued to be threatened and placed under severe duress throughout their employment. If they chose to leave the job, they faced onerous financial demands they were unable to repay. Moreover, their passports and phones were confiscated leaving them no avenue to seek help.

Their dreams and desires were simple – to send their kids to school so they can have a better life. That was their motivation for coming to Singapore to work. They had been promised a decent job with a liveable salary to help cover living expenses such as school fees, utilities and medical care.

Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined this outcome – exploited by their boss, living in filthy conditions, beaten into complying, humiliated and shamed and having their lives threatened. Even worse, they endured all this while far away from home and the support of their loved ones.

Not knowing whom to trust or seek help from and unable to communicate their circumstances, they were at the mercy of the nightclub owner. Threats and fear of incurring more debt if they tried to leave the job kept them further isolated.

Hagar Singapore started helping these women in 2016 providing legal aid, trauma-informed care, employment assistance and English literacy and life-skills training. Over the years Hagar has journeyed alongside them and witnessed their powerful transformation. Though initially unable to speak English the women learned to communicate with their co-workers in Singapore and continue to have meaningful conversations with their supervisors until this day.

Recounting their experience and facing their offender in court was especially unnerving, however Hagar staff and volunteers encouraged them throughout the process. By providing much-needed emotional support the women bravely stood in court and delivered their testimonies with strength.

Hagar worked closely with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to provide various job opportunities for the women during their time in Singapore which enabled them to sustain themselves and continue supporting their families back home. Hagar also assisted them to receive prompt medical care when they experienced illness.

The women have returned to their home country, India now but we continue to keep in touch and check on their well-being. Since the pandemic hit, life has been hard in new ways, with rising costs of living, school fees, more medical bills and fewer job opportunities. In these challenging times, Hagar continues to provide counselling support remotely and practical livelihood assistance.

While their legal case is now closed, the lives of these women have been undeniably changed. Learning their rights as workers, they are now better able to protect themselves, knowing what to look for in future employment contracts and the risks that come with overseas jobs.

Help us transform lives

Donate now

By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.

Help us transform lives

Donate now

By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.

Help us transform lives

Donate now

By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.

Help us transform lives

Donate now

By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.