You may or may not have seen this story that kind of went under the radar last week:

It told the really unfortunate story of Islam Rafiqul, a migrant worker whose employer would not — and was eventually revealed that he was unable — to pay him some $7,363 in owed salary, chalked up from nearly an entire year.

Imagine going without pay for almost a year. How to pay for house? Family? Food?

Thankfully, kind Singaporeans and other folks here online contributed generously to a fundraising campaign launched by GIVEAsia co-founder Aseem Thakur, and on Wednesday afternoon, they were able to pass Islam a neat $10,000 in cash.

We're told by representatives from non-government organisation Transient Workers Count Too that he insisted on donating some back to them for the work they do.

"He said he knows that there are many other migrant workers who're in need of help, and wishes to contribute towards the work that we do (paying it forward!)."

Another worker owed $9,145 in compensation for injury

And how timely his contribution comes too — because days later, the good guys at The Straits Times told us about another guest worker with a similar conundrum: Sujan Ahmed.

Also hailing from Bangladesh and in the construction sector, 34-year-old Sujan has been out of work for the past year and seven months because of an injury he sustained at work.

In May 2015, he fell from a ladder while installing CCTV cameras at Tekka Market. He ended up fracturing his right elbow and hurting his back, affecting his ability to walk properly.

By June 2016, Tan Tock Seng Hospital had confirmed that he had suffered a 10 per cent permanent incapacitation of his elbow and back.

Of the compensation he was entitled to (he was earning $750 a month to support his wife, mother and younger brother), he had only received $2,480 by October, with the help of the Ministry of Manpower.

An MOM spokesperson told ST that they will be working with the Migrant Workers' Centre to help Sujan find temporary work while advising him on the civil process to claw back his compensation.

And yes, in case you're wondering, the nice folks at GIVEAsia have also started a campaign for Sujan:

The ST report also mentioned that Sujan's employer, a sole proprietor, has not been able to pay the monies owed due to his own financial difficulties.

If you'd like to help Sujan, you can donate here.

Related article:

Despite hauling employer to labour court, migrant worker unable to retrieve unpaid wages

And here's another good thing you can do this CNY:

Here’s how you can give $8.88 ang pows to drivers who are driving you to reunion dinner this CNY’s eve.

Top photo courtesy of TWC2.

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