Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) refuted claims that the ministry and the Singapore police had advised the employer of a Bangladeshi worker, who has worked in Singapore for 16 years, to terminate his employment and deport him.

In a Facebook post, the Ministry clarified that it had informed the employer that should the company decide to terminate a work permit, it must notify the worker, settle outstanding salaries and bear the cost of repatriation.

MOM said the police are investigating if Md Sharif Uddin, who won an award for a book he wrote about life in Singapore as a migrant worker, is a victim of intentional harassment.

According to The Straits Times, the ministry said that until police investigations are completed, he is allowed to remain in Singapore.

The statement followed a video posted by migrant worker welfare groups on social media of Uddin’s case. In the video, he said he lost his job after he told his employer to alert the police about illegal moneylenders who were harassing him over an alleged unpaid loan. The 46-year-old, who denied borrowing any money, said he was given one month’s notice with his last day stated as 12 April. His case has since gained the support of more than 760 people, who signed an online petition to let the father of two to remain in Singapore.