By Tan May Ping

A LOT has happened since Mr Alamgir Lotforrahman arrived in Singapore earlier this year.

But he does not recall most of it.

While working illegally as a cleaner for a conservancy company, Mr Alamgir, 27, fell from a ladder and sustained head injuries last month.

The Bangladeshi national was already on a special pass to assist in investigations against a restaurant which had hired him illegally a few months ago.

He has already served time in jail for that offence.

After the accident on 29 Sep, Mr Alamgir was operated on, and warded at the National University Hospital until last Wednesday. He is now under the care of his current employer.

But until last week, his family in Bangladesh had been unaware of his condition, as he had suffered memory loss and forgotten their contact number.

Fortunately for him, a friend from the same village found out about him and informed Mr Alamgir's family last Wednesday.

Mr Alamgir's family is devastated, said countryman A K M Mohsin, 44, who edits a bi-monthly Bengali magazine here.

Said Mr Mohsin: 'Alamgir doesn't seem to remember much of his time in Singapore. The other day, he asked me if I have been to Singapore before. He doesn't realise that he is in Singapore.'

But Mr Alamgir's long-term memory seemed more intact as he could remember details of his past in Bangladesh.

Mr Mohsin said he was worried that the employer would send Mr Alamgir back before he completes his treatment here.

But when contacted, the employer, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ang, told The New Paper he does not intend to send Mr Alamgir back until things are settled.

Mr Alamgir's surgery involved removing part of his skull on the left side. The area is now covered by just a layer of skin.

When The New Paper met him at the hospital last Tuesday, he appeared to be in a confused state.

He said through his interpreter, Mr Mohsin, that he had two brothers - one older and one younger - and two younger sisters, and recalled that he used to paint designs on clothes in Bangladesh.

Cannot recall

But he couldn't answer questions about where he had worked here, how long or why he was in the hospital, or recall anything about the accident.

He was not aware of what was happening to him, and often cried.

Mr Alamgir, however, did remember his friend Mr Abul Kalam Khan's phone number. Mr Mohsin then spoke with him and got more information about Mr Alamgir.

Mr Abul Kalam told The New Paper: 'We worked together in Dhaka painting on clothes for two years.'

According to him, Mr Alamgir was recruited by an agent in Bangladesh earlier this year.

He came here on a social visit pass and the agent provided him with one month's work as a kitchen helper at a restaurant.

But Mr Alamgir was caught and packed off to jail for a month and given four strokes of the cane.

After his release, he was issued a special pass, which does not allow him to find work on his own.

Those on the special pass can work to support themselves, provided their employment is facilitated by the Manpower Ministry's Temporary Job Scheme.

Desperate to earn money, Mr Alamgir found a job with the conservancy company and was tasked to clean a block of flats and a multi-storey carpark in Bukit Panjang every day.

The company, a subcontractor, provided him with accommodation in a storeroom at the multi-storey carpark.

Mr Abul Kalam said he used to meet up with Mr Alamgir and some other friends every Sunday.

When Mr Alamgir didn't show up as usual one Sunday, Mr Abul Kalam went to the his workplace and found out from the other workers there that he was involved in an accident and was in hospital.

Mr Alamgir's hospital bill has come up to more than $50,000. He is not covered by insurance as he was working illegally.

When contacted, Mr Ang said he is doing his best to help Mr Alamgir, including footing the medical bill. But Mr Ang said it would be a huge burden as his is a small company. He said he had already paid the hospital about $2,000.

He said he knew Mr Alamgir was on a special pass.

Mr Ang said: 'He needed to earn money to pay for his air ticket to go back to Bangladesh, and I thought he could work for that reason. But he didn't seek permission from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to work.'

Recounting the accident, Mr Ang said that Mr Alamgir had missed a step while climbing a ladder and fell.

The company then called for the ambulance, which took him to the hospital.

Mr Ang said: 'It was not so high but he fell head first. I didn't think his condition would be so serious.'

Mr Ang also said that he knew he could get into trouble for having employed Mr Alamgir.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Oct 20, 2008.