1 From 21 to 24 June, the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), a bipartite initiative between the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, will be holding a series of 4 dormitory roadshows with an estimated total attendance of 12,000 migrant workers.
2 Our country relies heavily on foreign labour, as evidenced by the growth in migrant workers to about 1.05 million, or about a third of our total workforce. It is therefore fundamental that we help migrant workers integrate into our society as they have come to be a major contributor to Singapore’s economic development.
3 Themed “Embracing Differences”, the MWC Dormitory Roadshows 2011 aim to promote workplace harmony through the integration of migrant workers within their living and working environments. The roadshows will also give migrant workers a chance to let down their hair and enjoy a carnival atmosphere within their own dormitory setting. To make the series of roadshows possible, the MWC sought the cooperation and support of four of Singapore’s major foreign worker dormitory operators - Avery Strategic Investments Pte Ltd, JYC-NCL Pte Ltd, Mini Environment Service Pte Ltd and Vobis Enterprise Pte Ltd - who had all readily consented to allowing the roadshows to take place within their dormitories.
4 The MWC Dormitory Roadshows 2011 – “Embracing Differences” will bring together a host of activities for the participation and enjoyment of migrant workers, including government and NGO roadshow booths, variety stage shows and carnival games stalls. This year, a new feature has been introduced - a social integration exhibition on Singapore history, customs and social norms. The static display exhibition provides information on Singapore’s history and national symbols, the origins of its multi-ethnic population and multi-racial outlook, backgrounds behind the more typical religious and cultural practices and celebrations, as well as some behaviors that Singaporeans might consider peculiar or anti-social. The exhibition, which is displayed in English, Mandarin, Tamil and Bengali, also contains some lesser known facts and figures regarding Singapore’s migrant workforce.
5 Besides attractive prizes and entrance-gifts for participants, free copies of the newly printed Migrant Worker’s Compass, a worker’s pocket guidebook to navigating Singapore, which was produced by the MWC in collaboration with ‘Dynamight’ – a National Institute of Education Group Endeavours Service Learning Project Team, will also be distributed.
6 The first in the series of roadshows took place at Tampines Dormitory, operated by Avery Strategic Investments Pte Ltd on the evening of 21 June 2011. Mr Vernon Chua, Director of Avery Strategic Investments Pte Ltd noted, “Our tenants have benefitted much from previous social events organized by the MWC. Improving workers’ understanding of Singapore culture and norms helps them interact better with Singaporeans, whether it is within the work setting or when they are out in the community. Promoting understanding between locals and migrant workers is one of the areas we feel the MWC has made a big difference and we want to show our continued support for what the MWC does in improving the welfare of all migrant workers in Singapore. We hope the MWC, with the help of the NTUC and SNEF, will continue this mission in years to come”.
7 Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Co-Chairman of Migrant Workers’ Centre, attended the first roadshow at Tampines Dormitory as Guest of Honour. He said, “We will continue to engage migrant workers in order to pay tribute to their contribution to Singapore, and demonstrate the strong on-going commitment of the Labour Movement and the Employers' Movement, to championing fair and humane treatment of all migrant workers here. I am happy, that the MWC has assisted more than 2,000 needy and distressed workers, including about 250 for whom we have provided emergency food and housing, but we need to go beyond that – by enhancing their ability and willingness to interact and co-exist with their Singaporean colleagues and friends in a harmonious and mutually-beneficial manner. We will continue our advocacy efforts to ensure all migrant workers are happy, healthy and well taken care of, but while we ensure they have the tools and protections they need in order to function and interact harmoniously within their workplaces and the community, our migrant brothers and sisters too have to play a role in learning more about Singapore, and proactively taking opportunities to engage and interact with their local colleagues and friends”.
8 In addition to helping migrant workers integrate more easily into the Singapore society, the MWC is planning more events for later in this year to reach out to migrant workers, targeting issues like housing standards, hygiene and employment rights.
