Helper seeking injury compensation feared seeing a lawyer, till she went to pro bono law centre

at the charity’s legal clinic for migrant workers in Angullia Mosque, which runs two Sundays a month.

There were 40 per cent more migrant workers seeking legal assistance there in 2024 compared with 2023, said Mr Vijayendran, adding that MWLC was set up to expand capacity in this area.

Mr Lim said migrant workers often face cost and language barriers when seeking legal help.

Noting that legal woes can be daunting even for locals, he added: “Just imagine that in the case of a migrant worker who is new to our country. That kind of anxiety is essentially amplified.”

Nestled along a row of shophouses lined with mini-marts and music lounges, the centre is a modest set-up, with a signboard emblazoned in four languages: English, Chinese, Tamil and Bengali.

Mr Lim said MWC promotes the law centre through its social media platforms and website, as well as via word of mouth through its network of about 6,000 migrant worker ambassadors.

Ms Shukrina said: “The first step is to get rid of the fear and the perception (of seeing lawyers), to get them in the door.”

She added that consultations are fully confidential.

MWC officers first speak with the workers and determine what help they need. Common inquiries include over unpaid salaries, employment issues such as unfair contractual terms, and legal representation for criminal cases.

If the issue can be resolved without legal assistance, such as employment matters, MWC officers offer guidance and may refer the workers to the authorities for further help.

Cases requiring legal advice are handled by Ms Shukrina, who also represents workers in court if needed.

One of them was a Malaysian worker charged with riding a motorcycle without a valid licence and insurance. He had a rider’s licence but not for that specific class of motorcycle.

Prosecutors asked for him to be fined above $10,000. The worker claimed that based on his employer’s policy, this meant he would lose his job, said Ms Shukrina, who was unable to reveal his employment.

She eventually secured a $6,000 fine after mitigating on his behalf, and the man got to keep his job.

Ms Shukrina said: “He was really very grateful after that and offered to pay (legal fees), but I said ‘No, we are pro bono, actually, so you don’t have to pay us anything.’”

Of the cases MWLC has handled, 72 were referred for civil or criminal legal representation.

These cases are either represented by Ms Shukrina or sent to the centre’s network of volunteer lawyers.

So far, though, it has found a lawyer for less than 50 per cent of the 72 cases. Pro Bono SG hopes to encourage more volunteer lawyers to join the cause.

While Mr Lim is glad the centre has helped many workers, he wants to do more upstream work such as educating workers on employment rights, so issues can be resolved before they reach MWLC.

He said: “If every employer were to play their part, and essentially were to be at least a responsible employer, the need of having to seek legal help or even employment help shouldn’t exist.

“Hopefully, I should see small numbers (of consultations), then at least we can say the ecosystem itself is not broken.”