The Struggle

He came to Singapore to work hoping to improve the lives of his widowed mum, wife and 1-year-old son back in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, his dream of succeeding and improving the social status of his family if he worked hard enough, was suddenly dashed when he was involved in a workplace accident last September.

The accident took place when Asrof, 31 years old, was standing on a raised platform and working a hand-held metal grinder when it malfunctioned and the handle fell off. The accident has resulted in Asrof falling 2 metres onto the floor, sustaining severe injuries on his back, shoulder blades, left leg and right hand. That incident has changed the 31-year old’s life completely as the able-bodied man could no longer continue working to support his family of 4 when his activities of daily living were badly affected. Even after staying 4 days at the hospital and his medical leave being extended by another 28 days subsequently, Asrof was unable to lift heavy objects or walk without a limp. The worker who used to work in a shipyard and was able to work and send remittances back home was suddenly unable to work. He was the sole breadwinner of his family but now he struggles with even moving around.

Help Needed – Give Hope

Asrof used to earn S$550 a month and worked 7 days a week from 8 am to 6 pm. Even when he does not have an off day to get ample rest, Asrof has never complained about how hard he needed work in order to support his family back home.

To pay for his agent’s fee of around S$10,000, Ashrof has borrowed a large sum of money from both the bank as well as his relatives and friends. The 31-year-old told us that he has previously received a total of $500-$600 of MC wages and had sent remittances home for his loan repayment as well as his family’s living expenses. Now that he is on medical leave until 17th July 2019 and is unfit to work, his family is struggling to repay their loans and debts.

Despite the pain that he needs to go through every single day, Asrof is working hard so that he gets to see light at the end of his tunnel. He is currently undergoing TCM and physiotherapy treatments offered by a migrant worker advocacy organisation in hope of nursing his health back quickly out of love for his family.

Financial Breakdown

Asrof’s meals are currently provided for by a migrant worker advocacy organisation. Since his accident, Asrof has approached the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to seek compensation from his employer, and he understands that it will take months before MOM reverts to him with an answer. Asrof’s medical expenses are currently paid for by his employer.

Hence, ROHI wishes to raise S$840 ($210 x 4 months) to defray Asrof’s living expenses while he waits for the outcome of his compensation by MOM. Your donations would give hope to a helpless man who used to be the sole breadwinner of his family!

*Ray of Hope case workers have cited medical documents provided by Asrof. However, they will not be published as he is currently awaiting closure on his MOM compensation.