Migrant worker in loan shark case to leave Singapore by May 31; alleged harasser not found

SINGAPORE – A Bangladeshi worker who was supposedly harassed by loan sharks is to leave Singapore by May 31, after the police concluded their investigations and could not find the harasser.

This comes after Mr Md Sharif Uddin complained online on May 25 that he was being sent back home following the conclusion of investigations into the alleged harassment. He said in the video that the authorities had earlier promised him he could continue working in Singapore after his case was concluded.

According to a joint statement by the Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on May 28, Mr Sharif was told on May 23 that he is no longer required to remain in Singapore as the police investigations have ended.

“Extensive investigations were conducted, including detailed interviews and forensic examinations of evidence to establish the identity and motive of the alleged harasser, who had not only harassed Mr Sharif, but his former and potential employers as well,” said the statement.

“The police have not found any evidence to suggest that Mr Sharif had borrowed from (unlicensed moneylenders) and have exhausted all leads to identify the alleged harasser.”

In April,

MOM and the police said they would investigate

Mr Sharif’s case, after the 46-year-old said in a video – posted by migrant worker welfare groups on social media – that he lost his job after telling his employer to alert the police about illegal moneylenders who were harassing him over an alleged unpaid loan.

He denied borrowing any money and said he was given one month’s notice, with his last day of employment stated in the termination notice as April 12.

Mr Sharif’s case gained the support of more than 760 people, who signed an online petition to let the father of two remain in Singapore.

He is also the first migrant worker to

win the Singapore Book Award

for Best Non-Fiction Title.

During the police investigation, Mr Sharif was issued a special pass to facilitate his stay in Singapore to assist the authorities looking into the case, after his work permit was terminated by his former employer on April 11.

His former employer had paid for his accommodation and meals during the investigation period, said police.

According to the statement, Mr Sharif was also allowed to seek employment under the Temporary Job Scheme but was not able to secure a job.

The short-term employment scheme is for foreigners who are required to remain in Singapore for investigation or prosecution purposes.

“During this time, the Ministry of Manpower and the Migrant Workers’ Centre had reached out to him to check on his well-being and linked him up with employment agencies to support his job search,” said the statement.

“Mr Sharif had expressed his preference to be a safety coordinator in the construction industry, but he was unable to secure such offers; we also understand that he had declined job offers for non-construction roles.”

Mr Sharif’s special pass was due to expire on May 24, but was extended to May 27 to allow him time to make departure arrangements.

It was then further extended to May 31 upon Mr Sharif’s request and given the circumstances of his case, said the statement.