Annual MWC International Migrants Day event goes to recreation centres and dormitories
Every year on 18 December 2013, International Migrants Day (IMD) is observed by countries around the world to recognise migrants’ contributions and encourage respect for their entitlements. For the past four years, the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has organised large celebrations, such as the Migrant Workers’ Talent Quest in 2010 at the Floating Platform, to observe this important occasion.
To mark its fifth IMD celebration this year, MWC organised five concurrent variety shows for migrant workers at five locations around Singapore on 15 December 2013 to recognise the contributions of migrant workers in Singapore to our nation. Surrounding the theme of integration, MWC’s annual IMD celebration aims to promote greater understanding and a more harmonious relationship at the workplace and community.
Held at two migrant worker recreation centres and three dormitories, the event saw a total of more than 50,000 migrant workers being treated to a full day of entertainment by local and international artistes from India and Bangladesh, as well as other performances like fire-eating and Bhangra dancing.
Guests walked away with goodie bags and prizes from lucky draws and received a set of brochures containing information on employment laws, workers’ rights, local customs and norms as well as MWC and its services. Guests also received MWC Work Pass Holders bearing the MWC helpline which currently operates during working hours and will be made 24/7 by March 2014. Migrant workers at the main event space, Penjuru Recreation Centre, were also able to learn more about Singapore’s customs and social norms through MWC’s static display exhibition in English, Mandarin, Tamil and Bengali.
Guest-of-Honour MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang who was present at Penjuru Recreation Centre reiterated the importance of social integration and harmonious co-existence between migrant workers and Singaporeans. “Through such engagement events, MWC hopes to give migrant workers a feeling of belonging as well as provide them with the platform to connect with other foreign nationalities and be part of a community where they feel included.
“Our 1.3 million migrant workers here are major contributors to Singapore’s progress. It is only right that we help ease their transition into our society which is quite foreign to them. Through strengthening their support system, MWC hopes to equip migrant workers with the necessary knowledge to better integrate into society.”
MWC’s current engagement efforts reach 100,000 migrant workers annually and has developed plans to increase outreach efforts in the upcoming year. Besides the MWC 24-hour helpline which MWC hopes will be a key outreach channel, MWC also hopes to expand and build working relationships to engage more workers who live outside dormitories.
Mr Yeo said: “We hope for every migrant worker to carry the MWC WP card holders so that they always have help at hand. MWC hopes to create new and deepen existing partnerships so that we can double our efforts to engage migrant workers. Currently, we work closely with dormitories to engage their residents. We will look into ways to further engage workers who live outside of dormitories through broadening our engagement with employers and industry associations.”
