Working tirelessly behind the scenes to build and maintain the beautiful garden city we call home, migrant workers are the unsung heroes behind the Singapore we see today.
In appreciation of their contributions, The Labour Movement and its Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) organised the May Day Migrant Workers Celebration for 10,000 migrant workers at the Sungei Tengah Lodge on 21 May 2017.
The event also capped off the month-long May Day celebrations to recognise and appreciate all workers in Singapore.
Bridging Cultures
This year, the day-long event took the form of a carnival where some 150 student and corporate volunteers came together to create a fun day out for the migrant workers.
To create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the volunteers helped run a range of game booths and foster engagement through interactive activities such as the sharing of ‘Thank You’ cards penned by appreciative local students.
Guest-of-Honour Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck, NTUC NTUC Committee Members Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab and Eileen Yeo, Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund Board of Trustees Chairman Bennett Neo and MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang also joined the volunteers the expression of gratitude by serving briyani bento dinners to the workers.
“These foreign workers have worked hard for us and have contributed in our nation building by working in roles like construction… An activity like NTUC’s May Day Migrant Workers Celebration is one way to help migrant workers integrate better because we have groups like students volunteering to help in the event, have more interaction and forge friendships,” said Mr Teo Ser Luck.
Informative roadshows on living and working in Singapore were also organised by partners such as the Ministry of Manpower to help newer migrant workers better understand local culture.
Appreciation for the Event
“It is very enjoyable to be here, and being able to listen to Bengali songs by the singers on stage. I like the soccer and basketball game booths. I had just come back from work, took a shower and came down here to enjoy the party. I feel very happy,” shared Alamin (who goes by one name), 27, who has been working in Singapore for the last 15 years.
“Having events like this, with music and games, are very enjoyable for us because we are working every day and it can be very boring. Today we get to come here and enjoy an event like this; it makes us feel very good and I am very happy,” said Sadi Md Sheikh, 27, who has been working in Singapore for seven years.
Doing More for Migrant Workers
Championing the welfare and social integration of migrant workers in Singapore, the MWC noted in a press release that there has been greater awareness and recognition of migrant workers.
The introduction of new housing standards regulating dormitory conditions for migrant workers is one such example of how advocacy efforts have been successful.
Their efforts will also be complemented by further developing the grassroots network of partners. Dubbed the MWC Buddies Network, MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang shared that the network has enabled the MWC to intervene and resolve disputes before they escalated.
“Today we have 700 volunteers as our MWC buddies, which is like our grassroots system which provides us feedback. With this network in place, this community link will be able to help us better communicate with our migrant workers. We expect to build network up to 1,000 volunteers by the end of this year and reach 2,000 by the end of 2018,” he said.
He also added that the MWC is looking at introducing services and benefits such as banking and money remittance services and recreational vouchers for this group of workers.
