Bangladeshi migrant worker about his 14 years in Singapore

[@MaxChernov]

You asked me to interview more than just expats. Here you go.

[@jeremyemilio9378]

Mashallah Brother Max!

[@hitthedeck4115]

Funny that migrant/foreign workers are technically expats.

[@jjhenry3338]

Max, your most informative video about Singapore and Singaporeans. 👍

[@boredscientist5756]

Great GREAT video Max!!!! Make one with a helper if you can, it would also be great! Those workers are gold, they have all my respect!

[@Glide71]

U r da man Max!!

[@bell-xk5dd]

All migrant workers from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, even Malaysia are truly hardworking people and we Singaporeans gratefully thank you you guys for contributing to our nation building and helping to lessen our problem of manpower shortages…thank you 🎉🙏

[@jeremyemilio9378]

Not all but most. You're lucky you've never came across "the rats"

[@gelinrefira]

@@jeremyemilio9378 "Rats"? JFC, you are the rat here.

[@Molloy1951]

@@bell-xk5dd yeah. Now pay them decent salaries and stop exploiting them.

[@Pradeep-x8o]

Lol... I remember visiting Singapore and there used to be clear cut segregation strategies in place and attitude of Singaporeans was not the most welcoming towards them. It is easy to say thank you on social media than reality

[@lunazero433]

Yeah many of them work hard because they don't want their family to starve to death.

[@hafizkhan6015]

It touched us all as Bangladeshi and truly thanks for the interview... ❤

[@leongyet9896]

As a Singaporean,i would like to thank all migrant workers who contributed to Singapore.❤ I urge people living in Singapore, please show more care and respect to these workers👍🙏

[@waoteverrrr]

can't agree more with you 🙂

[@gohkahchin2437]

But u are not. Not even want to fight for minimum wage for them. Rule of law in singapore?? That's just a written fiction. But the true is that singapore rich because there exploited these migrant worker. A Singaporean work in coffee shop will earn more compare to construction worker.

[@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita]

Nothing can be expected from a dictatorship

[@danceoffAsh]

Thank harder

[@absyahwa7698]

Most singaporean chinese are racists towards indiana or banglas😂😂

[@catto_life]

As a silent viewer of your channel, I have to say this video is one of the most insightful ones you’ve made. The person you interviewed is truly admirable. As a fellow Singaporean, I want to thank him for all he has contributed to our country. I also hope more can be done to improve the situation for migrant workers, especially regarding wages, dormitory conditions, and scam cases. Please keep creating more content on the lives of migrant workers.

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

exactly, if we really value their work then we should pay them the wages they deserve. Some of these labourers are actually very skilled (in a practical sense) with decades of experience. To pay them less than a thousand is a fucking travesty and injustice. words are empty, talk is cheap. The real way of thanking them is giving them a fair wage and better working and living conditions as they build our infrastructure. If you compare them to construction workers in Japan or Australia, they are treated like dirt here.

[@daniyalbbd5281]

Not true , Singaporeans are hunting for migrants everyday

[@mikemer79]

Fk your country

[@sijugeo1973]

Even in such a harsh life, he hasn't lost that laugh. That's great.

[@gauravjitsingh6256]

Max it's the first time you have shown the other side of Singapore. What does Singapore mean for the working class. A migrant worker, a writer, a poet... a human being..... Bravo Mr. Chernov. Keep it up.

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

Well are you singaporean

[@Qasibr]

As a Pakistani 🇵🇰 watching this in Islamabad, this man seemed to have a beautiful heart. A persons worth and value as an individual is not determined by how much money he has. He seemed kind and genuine, despite the hurts and worries he carried. May your future hold beautiful things kind sir.

[@PeaceToAll-sl1db]

Jesus can give you a pure heart

[@immanla5299]

What a soul you've met. He is really a good guy seems. Great job Max that you found him :) Love from India

[@peggychung3051]

Salute this migrant worker👍! I am 70 years old lady, every time when l take MRT, the 1st one who given seat to me always is migrant workers❤. You all do the good job ,👍👋, respect ❤

[@Jtnn713]

You know why? 😂 cus they are also either the first one or second one (behind other elderlies who rush to get the seat) to get the seat also 😂😂 meanwhile young generation locals like myself are always standing in the first place 😂 can't give up seat if you never sat in the first place 😂 also, a lot of them are instructed to give up their seat purposely. Just like NSFs. You said this and got likes, but it's really an empty compliment and just a useless feel-good thought

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

​@Jtnn713 well most do.give up sears it's not told to them by their employers

[@lordjam8100]

@@Jtnn713 I doubt employers are monitoring them to see if they’re giving up seats. And young locals have their face in phones so they ‘don’t see’ older people coming on board.

[@danceoffAsh]

@@Jtnn713 Ikr, according to you these migrant workers don't deserve anything! Are you NS trained? Why not go pick up something pew pew and head to their dorms to prove your point that you hate em? You're solving your problem that way. Plus you'll be infamous and viral too! ;)

[@rayudugeda8285]

wat stupid singapore NOO LABOUR LAW NOO PROPERLY WORKING HOURS SINGAPORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM POOR PEOPLE

[@johnkhb]

I have got nothing but respect for these migrant workers who leave their families & homes to come and eke a living in our country. Thank you for your contributions towards the building of our nation and I do hope that your remunerations and living conditions improve… 🙏🙏

[@lost_poet_]

You have a lot of respect for them..... Unless they're in YOUR country

[@lleong666]

He lied actually

[@jasmineong7776]

@johnkhb I have great respect and thankful for their contributions here.

[@IndustrisasiIndonesia]

No workers rights in Singapore

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

@@jasmineong7776 if you truly respect their work then you should pay them higher wages. Talk is cheap.

[@yuch4eve]

A migrant worker showed me the ropes during my internship, its incredible how much hard work someone is willing to go for their family, it was a humbling experience to know how much better we had it here

[@woth-th9gi]

it smells of desperation. pathetic really

[@vennsim71]

Respect for them. Importantly, this dude is such a sweet person. Jovial, seems to take things positively in his stride. May he progress and earn himself S Pass and beyond… ❤

[@aclp003]

Best vid from this channel thus far! I like the questions asked too. Hopefully, this vid will spark more care and concern for workers who help build Singapore. Thankful for them!

[@khimchongchung7622]

I have more respect for migrant workers and domestic helper than any other CEO of a company. This are honest hard working men and women that build this country. The pavement we walk on, the shelter we sleep under, the rubbish we throw, the list goes on.

[@JunLong]

The energy coming out from this kind worker is amazing. God blesss you

[@yoursernestly]

The migrant worker community that has made vital contributions to Singapore’s nation building and yet usually forgotten and under appreciated. Thank you for giving Ripon this platform and thank you to all migrant workers who have worked hard for Singapore

[@Mysecondhandbookshop]

Mr Ripon is so well spoken and gifted. He is also very optimistic and wants to help the migrant community. May many blessings come your way Mr Ripon, thank you for your contributions to Singapore.

[@adamhogue2016]

Great content! We need more of this. Massive respect to this guy and all of his collogues that contribute so much to Singapore.

[@samaniyasalim3718]

This is very sad n we are complaining n yet they can survive with the salary of $800.00.😢😢😢Really salute all migrant workers. Thank u for all the work done.

[@MargaretLoo-hg1of]

Thank you Max for producing this video. I feel a lot for these migrant workers who leave their families back home n work relentlessly here even on sundays. They r polite on the mrt n willlingly to give up their seats for the needy. On behalf of Singapore, i would want to thank you very much for your invaluable contributions to this country. 😊

[@danceoffAsh]

If I was working like them, I wouldn't even bother giving up my seat regardless as I'll be overbearingly tired. Mad respect to these guys for still showcasing the best of humanity when it comes to giving up their seats for folks who need it.

[@jasmineong7776]

I agree with you on this

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

if we really want to thank them then why not pay them higher wages that they deserve for the literal blood, sweat (and sometimes loss of life and limb due to unsafe conditions by exploitative employers) and tears spent? Talk is cheap. Words are empty.

[@EthanChua-v3p]

@@YourHeartIsTheKey then spam write letters to the government asking such stuff then. And it is perfectly legal to do so

[@woth-th9gi]

Stupid!

[@JL_hahaha0303]

I’m happy to see that Max is finally interviewing different ppl in Singapore, not just the expats who are doing well and try to promote their biz, but someone who might be barely noticeable yet contributing so much to SG society so quietly in all corners. Sg ppl need to understand their society is what it is like today bc of all the people who have contributed like this man in the video, pls don’t take helps for granted

[@FAMDxb]

Thank you for this video. This was very touching. Unfortunately many societies fail to recognize and appreciate the migrant workers who are the underbelly and spine of a nations progress and development. So I appreciate this gentleman’s interview, his candor and his service to his community. Hope we can help him someway.

[@somewhereright3160]

I'm really impressed by this guy's positive attitude despite his challenges.

[@FloatingSunrise]

This is the best interview so far. For a migrant worker like Mr Ripon speaks good english and so gifted to write poems too. I prayed and hope that both him and his fellow countrymen will be lucky enough to meet a reliable and trustworthy person to bring them over to Europe to work and eventually gain citizenship there too though Singapore needs them but they deserve the best both for themselves and their families back home🙏 My brother works in the construction industry as a safety officer and always will speak well of his workers. In construction this is the most dangerous job ever one could lose a lmb or worse a life. Their living condition is not good too. This has make me humble in my home country. With much appreciation thank you so so much hard working migrant workers for building up Singapore all these years. Thank you for being part of our lives. God loves you. Bessings upon all

[@smonyboy]

He's here for 14 years. That should be expected

[@martinvanburen4578]

why can't he stay and work in Bangladesh?

[@BrooklynNYinsideConstruction]

@@martinvanburen4578 I love Nederland and myself Theo Van Buren. Would you like to help me get a job there please? And Bangladesh is so bad for their own people as they don’t pay even $150 a month

[@martinvanburen4578]

@@BrooklynNYinsideConstruction if Bangladesh is so bad...why do Bangladeshi try to recreate it every country they arrive in?

[@jaidesai9481]

this bangladeshi guy is a GOOD MAN!

[@SayemTabla]

Thanks for your validation. You must be an Indian!

[@cinnamonroll10]

Wow Max, you are such a great content creator. Ripon is such a good soul and his English is superb. All the best to him. Thanks for this video.

[@saiimum]

God bless all Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani migrant workers

[@Hugoillo]

Hi Max - really great of you to shine light on the aspects of singaporean society that often gets swept under the rug - fantastic video! Always important to remember that the glitzy glamorous buildings of Singapore are a result of hard working migrants like Ripon

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

hard working migrants that get paid far below what they deserve and whose desperation is heavily exploited by employers and looked down upon by snobbish Singaporeans

[@woth-th9gi]

@@YourHeartIsTheKey they deserve nothing but our contempt

[@ahrk6821]

Thanks max for highlighting their struggle you got a cheerful guy , love you from jubail, saudi arabia..

[@uqilin]

When I was staying in Punggol, it was still developing. I saw most workers enjoy riding around the park, taking pictures around. Many are polite. Giving up seats to elderly, young children and those in need. Unfortunately, there are always some workers who get drunk and create trouble. Singapore is very particular about riots. We are a very small country. One happened in 2013 in Little India. I believe it was then rules are tightened. There’s always good and bad apples.

[@Kira-dc6gr]

Firstly, thank you for showing this perspective of Singapore. i am a Canadian student and i did an exchange semester in Singapore earlier this year. I had a very amazing time and i also had the chance to meet many migrant workers who were fellow Bangaldeshi's. Their circumstances are quite sad often times as they are treated unfairly but they are some of the most hardworking and kindest people i have met.

[@jeremyemilio9378]

Finally my wish has been fulfilled and dream come true! you finally did interview a person more on a "commoner's / everyday man level" instead of always those atas high flyers. Hope to see more commoner interviews (delivery workers, taxi drivers, hawkers,shipyard workers etc) PS his English is actually better than some PRCs(especially) or jiu hu Kias!

[@JJ-qv8co]

just note that this fella is 10x more intelligent and eloquent in his native tongue. Him not speaking a foreign language fluently shouldn't give the wrong impression that sadly many sgporeans have.

[@BieZhang]

Both 'PRC' (when used to describe Chinese nationals) and 'jiu hu kias' are derogatory terms. If you don't know how to speak in a civilized manner, please educate yourself.

[@namo2403]

Considering his proficiency in English, I can honestly say he should be earning more, definitely at a foreman level at the very least as well as acting as a translator between supervisor and the ground workers but because they don't know better / don't have someone who knows better to assist them, they are usually stuck getting taken advantaged of.

[@Animeow08]

@@JJ-qv8co tf you talking about? Lol. He speaks better English than y’all

[@jaiphookan]

Ripon's story is fascinating and he truly comes as so multi-faceted and intelligent despite coming from terrible circumstances 💌 More power to him!

[@boredscientist5756]

I have the most profound respect for them! When a team comes to my condo to do painting or whatever for a few months, I do my best to socialize a bit with them and give them food/cigarettes/tea. I feel like it is the least I can do! Those people are human gold THX for this video Max!

[@woth-th9gi]

Extra much?

[@sktoh4469]

Food, cigarettes, beer, ganja etc.

[@ravinkabhi]

Thank you for doing this @max. Brings us all back to earth. Tq

[@user-fb7rf4kr5k]

Give this man a Permanent Residency--his values help make this country a better place.

[@woth-th9gi]

Impossible. Singapore has a secret policy in place to disavow FDW and constructiin workers any valid residency outside of their permit, since there are so many and it would overwhelm the system.

[@firdaus125]

Best video so far. Most of Max's interviews are rich people who benefit immensely from the Singapore system, it's nice to see the ones who are exploited.

[@unnaturalselection8330]

Amazingly he's able to save a MUCH higher percentage of his salary than the average American.

[@rvijayala]

Lovely initiative! Ripon is an engaging and well-spoken guest. He has understood the key insight - that all segments of society need to understand and accept each other to live harmoniously. More power to Ripon and his tribe, and bring on more diverse videos like this!

[@justabusinesssavvyguyfromb8612]

Tribe 😭

[@spacesbali]

thank you @Max and every foreign worker. It is the foreign workers that keep Singapore running

[@mythoughts238]

Oh absolutely! Didn't LKY say that 70% of Singaporeans were originally Malaysians and other nationalities?

[@woth-th9gi]

No, remember it is us their clients who keep it running. they only put in the infrastructure that supports the driving of singapore economy. constructing building is just a one-time job

[@spacesbali]

@woth-th9gi correct, clients employ foreign help, but you saying it's the clients who pick up yr garbage everyday? Or you just don't want to acknowledge any FDW?l

[@woth-th9gi]

@@spacesbali i don't acknowlege SEAmonkeys Singapore is East Asia, not south east asia.

[@Jtnn713]

@@spacesbali that wasn't always the case at all. It was the local government, the local pioneering generation that ran singapore, took the toughest jobs and got singapore from third world to first world. Without them you think we would even a world class public transport system, for example, to hire migramt workers to BUILD, and MAINTAIN?

[@keys4321]

Thanks for finally highlighting the stories of these unsung heros who are doing all the jobs that no one cares to…

[@Aiswarya-d6i]

Recently my block went through Home Improvement Programme and I had the opportunity to talk to some of the workers. All of them were very skilled and hard working workers but they said their salary was around $850 per month. Increment was only $1 a year. From this salary they have to pay $150 for food. All of them have extended families in India and Bangladesh who depend on their remittance every month. These hard working workers have not much left when they go back to their homeland. Singaporeans are protected by the government through CDC vouchers and cash payments to tide through rising cost of living but migrant workers and residents are left behind to fend for themselves. Without these workers, Singapore can never carry out its ambitious development goals. Hope the migrant workers get a decent salary.

[@wcsj]

The 850 salary is already decent enough, when adjusted for exchange rate. They make more here in months than they do back home in years.

[@CheikoSairin]

I am a Malaysian from Sabah. I have been working in Singapore for almost 20 years.

[@emalejack]

Sad for some unnecessary rules. Anyway still manage to stayed 14 years hope your future gets better bro……thank you for your service 🙏🏼 Singaporean do appreciate your contribution.

[@lidna82]

More can be done for the welfare of the workers. Ripon opens up an area that locals like myself do not get exposed to or talked about - not even in parliament. He humbles many of us who are more educated and more financially well to do through this life aspiration. Thank you for bringing this to us, Max!

[@rayudugeda8285]

wat stupid singapore NOO LABOUR LAW NOO PROPERLY WORKING HOURS SINGAPORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM POOR PEOPLE

[@elliotw.888]

long awaited video, thanks for doing this

[@伟伟-i4l]

Out of all the videos you have made, I think i like this the best. Thank you ❤

[@danceoffAsh]

Max, this is a very refreshing take in your series and I am happy you picked Rippon! Also, baffled that they don't even get a pay raise each year. It's a bit of a insult to just to get 1 or 2 dollars.

[@woth-th9gi]

We pay them according to their country's fair share of wages, not ours. just be glad we are not like dubai or qatar yet where we allowed to abuse them and take away their passport like near slavery.

[@rayudugeda8285]

wat stupid singapore NOO LABOUR LAW NOO PROPERLY WORKING HOURS SINGAPORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM POOR PEOPLE

[@XShollaj]

Thank you for covering people from all backgrounds Max. Would be happy to have you meet & hangout with the Albanian community here in SG.

[@Yippeedee]

When I was younger, I avoided foreign construction workers in public areas. As I grew older, I learned more about them and felt sorry for them. Now when I see them on the bus or on the trains, I will try to have a conversation with them. If only the larger part of the levy is passed on to them, things will get a little better for them and the business owners. And I hope they get better living conditions too. It's such an irony that they build such beautiful infrastructures.

[@jagsandhu6114]

Hats off to these guys....please treat them like humans....

[@leongyet9896]

By the way,i think our goverment needs to sent out harsher punishment to those migrant working agents or the conpanies who took advantage of these people. Many borrowed a huge sum of money just to come here to work for so can make their life better back home. Some companies or people treated them like slaves! These people should be punished by law.

[@KoishiChan92]

Unfortunately those agents are from the workers home countries, not Singapore, so we can't do any enforcing things happening outside our borders. Their own governments need to change things to make their own people stop exploiting each other, but unfortunately the governments in those countries don't give a shit.

[@woth-th9gi]

@@KoishiChan92 don't pretend PAP gives a shit either. remember not "one worker has come to ask for an apology" from the govt according to Josephine Teo🤣🤣🤣

[@woth-th9gi]

Good, they should have their passports taken away and allowance controlled so it can be really slavery

[@shailendrabahadursingh2521]

One of your best works, if not the best. About the unsung heros and under appreciated contributors to Singapore’s economic miracle.

[@russ972]

Thank you, Max, for sharing a perspective I hadn’t considered before. It’s inspiring to see how migrant workers find contentment, even with such modest earnings. It reminds me to stay grateful for what I have.

[@vg1471]

Loved this interview Max. Love his positivity and gratitude throughout the whole interview. People like these should be given more opportunities for growth. They contribute so much to the society 🙏

[@diyahdiyah8354]

I really respect and appreciate everyone who works in construction in Singapore. I am very touched when I see Bangladeshi people working very hard and leaving their families for years. 😢 And I know very well that Bangladeshi people are hard workers. I know and understand a little because I have also worked in Singapore for eight years. Always be healthy and may success and safety always accompany us 💪🇮🇩

[@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita]

They get Paid below minimum wage

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

​@@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunitathere isn't minimum wage

[@AvengeBasketball]

@@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunitaSo why be a sucker and work for low wage? Choice is theirs right?

[@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita]

@@AvengeBasketball We never choose to be born into poverty.And the majority of Hanay people are trying to survive But suffocating people who are trying to survive .How inhumane and immoral

[@rayudugeda8285]

wat stupid singapore NOO LABOUR LAW NOO PROPERLY WORKING HOURS SINGAPORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM POOR PEOPLE

[@tanvirahmad-y2z]

Thank you very much for this interview. As a non resident Bangladeshi I appreciate your highlights on the less visible population of Singapore.

[@ew6004]

Please increase the migrant workers salary. They work very hard for Singapore.

[@raid1010]

I think this should be applied to EVERY employer in the world 🤣🤣

[@VonEldrich]

And by doing that, you’ll be paying for more for housing? And probably other amenities and food.

[@bradleytv9813]

@@raid1010in malaysia we raised there salary.why singapore failed at this?

[@raid1010]

@@bradleytv9813 U should go and ask PAP?

[@wcsj]

No.

[@yatishafii4976]

Thank you to all honest migrant workers for their hard work . Many Singaporeans actually respect them. Hope the government can look into how to improve their living conditions and lifestyle. For the Muslim migrants you can play a part in mosques and make friends with locals during your off days.

[@ragsoh]

I have a soft spot for migrant workers because they are very hardworking people and they build and maintain my country. If I meet them in my housing estate, i would try my best to give them cold drinks and snacks. That is my simple way of thanking them. Many of them work many years without meeting their families and they have to stinge on themselves. I just hope that they will be treated with respect. It is a shame to see people treating the white man with politeness and talking down to the migrant workers. From a Singaporean.

[@boredscientist5756]

Same!!!! They have all my respect! I also do my best to bring some tea/food/fruits to them if they are in the condo working for a few weeks/months. I also take time to talk with them when I can! Great humans!

[@danceoffAsh]

I think just peanuts and biscuits isn't going to cut it. We'll have to lobby for better salaries for them and have to accept there will indeed be costs that we'll need to bear (e.g higher housing prices) to support them.

[@Johnne009]

We don't have to rely on them. We should be paying construction workers 4-6k, just like Australia, so locals will be willing to do this job

[@woth-th9gi]

​@@boredscientist5756Stupid

[@woth-th9gi]

​@@Johnne009That is not sustainable

[@piershunday]

This was incredible journalism. I could have listened to this interview for hours. Thank you for sharing this insight and best of luck to Ripon and the amazing migrant workers who work so hard every single day. I hope their conditions and freedoms get a lot better in the future and may their companies and host country look after them.

[@stephyschoice]

He speaks so well and is looking out for his migrant community. Huge tons of respect for him!

[@tamilsingai2242]

So he can.....do like someone, he mentioned....

[@dawnho7744]

Max, this is what I've been looking forward to see. Thanks you so much! I now appreciate these migrant workers even more.

[@YangGQ]

Singapore is blessed by migrant workers and migrant workers are very lucky to work in Singapore. This is why there is a premium to get in. And all scams can be reported and closed. Thank our friends. Do not feel sorry for them. Just talk to them as equals on the street.

[@Cheepath]

This man is very well spoken. Bless him

[@mrfoo5827]

VERY COMMON. NOT ONLY IN SINGAPORE. MIGRANTS WORKERS FACE SAME PROBLEMS IN EVERY COUNTRY

[@WalkWithTita]

Wonderful interview, Max. Very real... one can almost taste the struggle and the need to persevere.

[@nicholasgoh3526]

This guy is also an Expat / Foreign Talent. He is also a foreign worker like his brothers in banking and IT. I don’t see the difference except only in pay.

[@babosing]

The pay is like slavery, they work under hot sun, risk in construction work, but same pay as maids?

[@woth-th9gi]

​@@babosingThey chose to come to work in such conditions, they have no right to complain. If they are not happy they can return home jobless in their lacklustre nation.

[@rayudugeda8285]

wat stupid singapore NOO LABOUR LAW NOO PROPERLY WORKING HOURS SINGAPORE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE FROM POOR PEOPLE

[@wcsj]

No it is a foreign worker, not expat. Expat is reserved for some people

[@Molloy1951]

Singaporean companies should and could pay decent salaries for these workers. 800 Singaporean Dollars per month is criminally low.

[@jasmineong7776]

@@Molloy1951 Perhaps his employer can clarify as I think as a foreign worker working for 14 years here is definitely earning more than $800. It's very possible for a new foreign worker

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

@@jasmineong7776 he specifically stated he did not get a salary increase despite working for 14 years. If we are really thankful for their hard work then we would pay them higher wages that they deserve. Talk is cheap and words are empty. How can we say “thank you” with a fake smiling face while continuing not to care that they are paid nothing in horrible working and living conditions. Compared to construction workers in Japan or Australia, they are treated and paid like dirt.

[@jasmineong7776]

@YourHeartIsTheKey This is a personal attack on me as I noticed that you have posted a nasty reply on my other post. Let me reiterate again, I have full respect and am grateful for the contributions made by the foreign workers, including this guy. Everyone is here to make a living and seeking a better life. It's normal for one to wonder why he would stay on for the same job for 14 years without pay increment. If you think I am doing a cheap talk, then please do something for him or for all the foreign workers, find them jobs in Japan or Australia or petition for their rights with MOM or their employers. I am not going to engage in this with you anymore. FULL STOP

[@babosing]

it's like slavery, with the work involved, under hot sun, got same pay as maids? lower than waitress?

[@woth-th9gi]

​@@YourHeartIsTheKeyThey have to be paid like dirt in order to keep our housing prices low. Better they are not paid at all. Used as forced labor like in Dubai

[@Molloy1951]

Excellent, Max!

[@LeeTom-d4t]

Thanks MAX .. very good work❤

[@juststuff5216]

Great interview. But the best part was the last closing comment about being a *'Great Human'!*

[@cktan2739]

Full respect for the workers coming to Singapore to work for a better future for themselves and their families.

[@Jeff-sm8of]

If it's up to him he will move his entire village from bangla to Singapore.

[@Wwan88]

I’m malaysian and working in Singapore since 2001 until now.. Before that I’ve stayed at Chinatown and now i stayed at JB & every day in and out to work in Singapore.. So far singapore is very good country for working because of the money.

[@VonEldrich]

Like they say, Singapore is a good place to work and earn money, Malaysia is the best place to retire at and Thailand is the place to go party at.

[@davidnhc]

My respect to these migrant workers who leave their families and loved ones to make a living ….

[@MarufBilah5]

As a Bangladeshi people he work so hard From Bangladesh 🇧🇩❤️🇸🇬

[@XDicer]

"migrant workers" for Bangladeshi workers VS "expats" for white people. I think the language being used in Singaporean circles says it all to anyone watching from outside.

[@jmj5101]

So insightful 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you for interviewing the migrant workers

[@acbcslaih]

Nothing but respect 🫡

[@woth-th9gi]

puik

[@vandanakarnik8296]

If other country doesn't value your hard work,and not pay you enough, you should leave.

[@woth-th9gi]

But the funny thing is that Singapore itself makes it very hard to leave. there is a process to becoming a migrant worker in Singapore and it involves a debt's worth of money. even when they haven't started working they have to fork out money. they have to stay for more than they want too to repay their debts to the special job agents at home, levies, domitories, migrant permit etc In the end after working in Singapore for so long there is very little net gain and they leave dejected.

[@KoishiChan92]

Where is he going to leave to? The pay and working conditions in his home country are even worse, and countries that would pay more like those in Europe don't want these low skill labourers. Their choices are pretty much South East Asia or the rich Middle East and conditions in any of these other areas aren't any better and are often worse.

[@bufanpxl8r]

🇸🇬🇮🇱🇦🇪... all these countries are similar. As a Chinese, I can understand why Malaysia kicked Singapore out.

[@jaywu7078]

Do respect these migrant workers whether they are on board the train or bus, so many video of some Singaporean scold them in social media, these are the people that build our road and house we live in, under the fiery hot sun 🌞

[@danceoffAsh]

My dad once told me my migrants workers are treated similar to toilet paper, they are essential when you need them and discard them when you've used them to their limits, yet they are ones who build our toilets and houses.

[@aclp003]

Exactly! Please let our hardworking folks have the seats in public transport and let them have enjoy common public spaces. They deserve the space! Really thankful for their hard work.

[@woth-th9gi]

​@@danceoffAshOf course, toilet paper is just toilet paper, no need to revere it like gold foil.

[@woth-th9gi]

never

[@dookula]

No worries, bro. Thanks for the work. Hope your return to your home country is a safe one

[@Lalalalalelo]

i salute these hundreds of thousands of workers who eke out on a small salary to build and maintain our country

[@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita]

Being paid below the minimum wage is a violation of workers' rights. But how we can do Singapore is non-democracy contry. Just like the Gulf states? Rich country built on the blood of foreign workers .

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

​@JunitafluxcyfatriciaJunita we aren't gulf countries those countries exploit those workers in singapore the migrant workers are treated better

[@YourHeartIsTheKey]

@@raghavnamasivayam8706 lol not much better. The working and living conditions are only slightly better. Compare them to construction workers in Australia or Japan who get paid much more (which they deserve) and work in much safer and humane conditions.

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

@YourHeartIsTheKey well those are citizens of the country the foreign workers aren't paid as locals

[@raghavnamasivayam8706]

@YourHeartIsTheKey well the conditions of the migrant workers are good not great

[@DawnBreaker118]

Best video from my perspective- good job. 😊

[@OxO1236]

Wow! This interview was great would love to see you make more in this style

[@drew4871]

I am not a s'porean but when I see this people do all the hardwork outside fuming hot weather I salute them. I hope their salary will increase they deserve it🙏

[@kevinwijayaoey281]

Wow, this is quite eye opening. Thank you, Max!!

[@jayantkumarbasu8464]

This bangladeshi guy talks shit. If he is facing so many problems, having so low salary etc etc etc , then why the hell is living here for 14 years. He must be enjoying a lot and sending lot of money to his family in bangladesh. I have observed explanations of any migrant worker in any country is all fake and sort of bull shit about their living conditions. They talk bull shits and stay life time in that respective country. Hypocrisy at its peak. This is mostly with asians

[@AbhishekG2000]

This was interesting. Glad you are not focusing only on the people with higher paychecks. You should do more interviews like him.

[@youtuberschannel12]

For context pp, their salary as a low-value construction worker can own themselves bungalows back home while we can never own one even with high value positions in our own home Singapore. Singaporeans are way poorer than them.

[@MyFish8Me]

Migrant workers are the cornerstone of our country. Thank you to all for your hardwork.

[@ShahWirana-bq9hv]

Even local born Singaporeans don't feel at home....so he is not alone....citizens are becoming more and more disenfranchised because of lack of empathy from people who are detached but sitting in ivory towers expecting others to be obsequious or obdurate.....those who don't comply....leave....i hate to say this but more and more the sincere genuine asian hospitality is forever gone in singapore...

[@kuokkae]

Most of your videos showing expats I actually didn’t care much. But I watched this video fully. This is a very well-articulate man, I wish him well

[@jujuacob8]

Come here to work..to feel at home then dont work here ...work at home feel at home simple as that

[@sunnygal12345]

don't be a karen.

[@Anonymous-js6jn]

Great interview. They deserved to be heard. Thanks Max.

[@youtuberschannel12]

How can they feel home if this is not their home at all?

[@woth-th9gi]

Why do they need to feel at home. Max is pushing an agenda, He and the guy should be classified as foreign interference

[@roland-zhou]

thanks for this episode, really a great one

[@Ghekko-kw3zz]

Lovely guy & reminder of Singapore's subcontinental diaspora. It's really such an interesting city, by far the most culturally mixed in Asia, at the same time as being the safest city in the world. Runs counter to some theories about putting races & cultures together.

[@user-jt3dw6vv4x]

Singapore since the colonial era, at the most basic level, was always mixed. Chinese and Indians settled on the island with the native Malays and their coexistence yielded a common cultural identity underpinned by common values that Lee Kuan Yew called "Asian values", a diverse cuisine that incorporated elements of the Chinese, Malays and Indians and a creole language called Singlish that is a mix of English and Asian languages. The migrant communities who have come from other parts of Asia are an extension of Singapore's original diverse identity.

[@woth-th9gi]

It only works with authoritarianism, don't be fooled. Tensions exist, nothing is so ever loose here.