In Celebration of International Migrants Day Carnival 2012:
In celebration of International Migrant's Day, The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC), a bipartite initiative of the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, held its fourth MWC International Migrant's Day (IMD) celebration on 16 December 2012 at the newly-opened Penjuru RC.
To broaden its outreach and engagement to foreign workers on their employment rights and protections, which is critical for the workers' welfare and wellbeing for the duration of their stay in Singapore, MWC will embark on new outreach efforts into the heartlands, specifically to areas where large numbers of foreign workers reside. The collaborations, which will see MWC form working relationships with government and community organisations, will enable the MWC to better understand issues faced by foreign workers on the ground and the types of help they need as well as widen its reach and connect with a much larger number of workers.
Launch of new recreational space - 20,000 migrant workers in Penjuru to benefit
The IMD celebration saw MWC mark its first partnership with the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) and the grassroots organisations in Penjuru, where a significant number of foreign workers reside. The Penjuru RC was officially opened by Guest-of-Honour Ms Foo Mee Har, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, and witnessed by special guest Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Chairman of MWC. The space, created specifically for foreign workers' recreation, relaxation and leisure, is aimed to be the main recreation area for the more than 20,000 workers who live in and near the area and will be home to MWC's year-long calendar of migrant worker leisure and recreational activities. As the recreation centre's main programming partner, MWC revealed some of its migrant worker leisure and recreational programming for the upcoming year such as screenings of movies, live telecasts of various international sporting events that are of interest to the foreign workers, variety concerts, and other recreational activities for the enjoyment of foreign workers. Besides MWC's programme of activities, JTC will also be bringing in a market to cater to the grocery shopping needs of the foreign workers in Penjuru.
Recognising the efforts and contributions of migrant workers
Rounding off its series of outreach events for the year, the MWC International Migrants Day Carnival 2012 saw some 15,000 migrant workers gather at the newly-opened Penjuru Recreation Centre to enjoy a full day of festivities. Participants were treated to a cricket tournament, carnival games and activities, and an evening variety concert which showcased specially flown-in Bangladeshi and Tamil artistes at the whole-day event aimed at recognising the efforts and contributions of migrant workers in Singapore.
The Chairman of MWC Yeo Guat Kwang said, "Migrant workers account for a third of our total workforce and have become major contributors to our economic development. It is clear that Singapore is reliant on foreign labour, and therefore, it is only right that we help migrant workers integrate and interact harmoniously within our society. Many of them are unaware of the available assistance channels here in Singapore so we also want to take this opportunity to engage these foreign workers, who have travelled long distances to work here and provide for their families back home, and let them know that they are not alone in Singapore, and there are people who understand their difficulties and can help them resolve problems they encounter."
Mr Yeo added, "Over the last 3 or so years, we have conducted outreach activities at the main gathering areas like Little India and Geylang, and also the larger dormitories in order to maximise our reach in a short time. The partnership with JTC in the Penjuru RC marks the expansion of our outreach efforts into the local communities, where we hope to target pockets of workers who would otherwise be unaware that there are people who can help with their problems, as well as fun and enjoyable activities that are catered specifically to them during their free time."
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