Work Pass Woes
The Tale of Zakir Hossain Khokan
Meet Zakir Hossain Khokan—a 43‑year‑old storyteller, poet, and activist who swung from the clouds of construction sites to the stark lights of dormitory walls in Singapore. In June, fate flipped his world upside down when his work permit, after 19 years of creative hustle, expired and never got renewed.
Why the Big “No”!?
On June 22, Zakir posted a raw update on Facebook. He said his former employer told him the renewal process was “initially tainted by an adverse record with a government agency.” Later, he was absolved it was a bureaucratic blip, only to be told the permit was “ineligible” for renewal.
The Manpower Ministry (MOM) chimed in, reminding us that Singapore keeps a keen eye on who can work here. “We’ll renew a passport if people are genuine… but we slice off the ones who spread misinformation.”
The “Work Slave” Debate
Remember the October clash at Westlite Jalan Tukang dormitory? Workers riled up over soggy food and chaotic Covid‑19 transfers, drawing riot police. Zakir’s fire‑faced post declared the situation a “work camp” chaos, swirling in impassioned allegations of armed squads and armored vehicles around the buildings.
- Fact check: No soldiers, no armored vehicles—per the Ministry.
- Misleading voice: The post was signed as “work list of Westlite Tukang” although Zakir never lived there.
- Potential fallout: Such claims might rouse anger, stirring unrest among workers elsewhere.
Appeals and the Unbreakable Barrier
Zakir tried to plead his case, backed by NGOs, an MP, and a former NMP. The Department of Human Resources screened the appeal and it bounced back—unfortunately it hit the “no” rock. As MOM stated, a foreigner’s right to work isn’t a guaranteed entitlement, especially when the passport expires out of an employment void.
From Poems to Programs
But it wasn’t all paperwork and politics. Zakir cut through the haze with literary compassion:
- Founded “Migrant Writers of Singapore”—a community of creative souls.
- Launched “One Bag, One Book”, a book‑sharing scheme that also spun into a lifeline for dormitory workers during the pandemic.
- Tuned into the Migrant Worker Poetry Competition (Banglar Kantha edition) and snagged first prizes in 2014 and 2015.
It wasn’t just the literacy of words—Zakir’s writing cradled the often‑overlooked stories of migrant workers.
What The Future Looks Like
Defeated yet defiant, Zakir departed for Bangladesh on June 8, with his passport emptied but his conscience full. The Ministry walked away with the tether that if he no longer had a job, there were no pathways to extend his stay.
Echoes from Advocacy
Ms. Anthea Ong, a community leader, whispered her hopes that the Alma‑mater Enterprise (ACE) would keep serving migrant friends, never letting a single story dim the porch of help. She dreams that activists like Zakir continue to light up corridors of compassion, even if the government’s lines crack.
In a world that sometimes feels like a strict, unbending check‑in, Zakir’s journey is a reminder: the pre‑scripted edits of policy can carry a chorus of human emotions. It tells us that storytelling isn’t just ink—it’s the bridge between policy and people.
