1 The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) officially opened the first welfare-cum-help centre at the Jurong Fishery Port (JFP) today to provide migrant fishermen, who currently do not have access to help, with assistance on employment-related issues.
2 Through their advocacy efforts for better welfare for and protection of this group of workers, the Singapore Organisation of Seamen and the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union had sought the involvement of MWC in 2012 to champion the set-up of a facility in JFP to cater to the care of migrant fishermen. Since then, MWC has collaborated with several organisations[1] in a community and government joint-effort to realise the set-up of the Seafarers’ Welfare Centre (SWC). Directed specifically at assisting and protecting the welfare of workers who do not possess legal work or stay visas in Singapore and thus, have no access to established legal processes when their rights are infringed, the SWC is positioned as a preventative solution against the abuse of workers, as well as a reporting point where they can also access welfare services.
3 The SWC is manned daily from 5pm to 9pm, providing migrant fishermen with a channel to lodge reports on employment or well-being issues. The manning hours will be scaled up depending on demand. At all other times, migrant fishermen are welcome to use the facility as a resting area to gather with other fishermen. MWC and the International Lutheran Seamen’s Mission (ILSM) will also be working to secure mobile phone and internet links in the coming weeks to allow users to contact their homes and families in times of need.
4 The SWC expects to see workers with issues involving salary non-payment or arrears, employment agencies, well-being and maintenance, as well as possible employment-trafficking cases. Funded by MWC and operated by the ILSM, MWC will see to localised issues like food, housing and subsistence for needy workers and employment disputes under local regulatory provisions. MWC will also triage cases for possible anti-human trafficking offences for reporting to the Singapore Inter-agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons. ILSM will handle issues concerning international maritime and seafarers protection with its access to international seamen’s aid and rescue networks.
5 Chairman of MWC Yeo Guat Kwang said: “The plight of fishermen was raised in an anti-human trafficking report some years back. As a community, all the organisations involved joined hands to implement a solution, which serves to prevent abuse of this particular group of workers. Many of them are out at sea for months at a time; are not able to go beyond the immigration points; and previously, could not turn to anyone when faced with abuses. We are glad to be able to provide them with a place of refuge to rest and seek proper assistance. We are especially keen on the installation of the necessary phone and communications lines that will allow them to connect with their loved ones back home in times of need.”
6 Senior Port Chaplain of the ILSM, Reverend Christian Schmidt said: “ILSM deeply appreciates the efforts put in by MWC and the other government agencies to make this centre for seafarers on fishing vessels possible. No doubt the facility is simple, but the Seafarer's Missions now have a space to set up basic equipment for seafarers to contact their families and beloved ones. On behalf of the Seafarers Missions in Singapore which are part of our ecumenical partnership we like to thank MWC and the other government agencies involved."
[1] The organisations involved comprise:
Unions – Singapore Organisation of Seamen & Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union;
Seafarer mission groups - Danish Seamen’s Church, Norwegian and Swedish Seamen’s Missions, Stella Maris Catholic Seamen’s Mission, Mission OneWorld & German Seamen’s Mission and the International Lutheran Seamen’s Mission and;
Government partners – Singapore Inter-agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons & Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore
