The Labour Movement (LM) concluded its first ever month-long celebrations to give recognition to migrant workers’ contributions at workplaces and within homes in Singapore, at the May Day Migrant Workers Celebration 2018 event held today at Tuas View Dormitory.
More than 35,000 migrant workers of various nationalities and vocations were reached out over a series of activities including the May Day Domestic Employees Celebration event on 6 May, mass outreach activities at the Centre for Domestic Employees’ satellite offices, as well as over 35 engagement activities at unionised companies.
Honouring contributions of migrant workers towards economic success
At today’s event, co-organised by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) and NTUC, over 10,000 migrant workers residing in Tuas View Dormitory as well as neighbouring dormitories were treated to on-stage entertainment as well as goodies and promotions offered by event sponsors and partners.
A key event highlight featured a record-breaking message board that carried notes of appreciation dedicated to our migrant workforce, written by union leaders, students, volunteers, members of public and fellow migrant workers. At the event, Guest-of-Honour Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng personally penned individual ‘thank you’ notes in dedication to the contributions and sacrifices of migrant workers towards Singapore’s economic success. They were joined alongside other LM representatives namely NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Koh Poh Koon; NTUC Central Committee Member and May Day Migrant Workers Celebration 2018 Co-Organising Chairman Eileen Yeo; NTUC Central Committee Member and May Day Migrant Workers Celebration 2018 Organising Vice-Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang; and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and May Day Main Committee 2018 Chairman Desmond Choo.
NTUC Central Committee Member and May Day Migrant Workers Celebration 2018 Co-Organising Chairman Eileen Yeo said, “This year, we are doing things a bit differently by holding an entire month’s series of celebrations to truly recognise the invaluable contributions made by all migrant workers in Singapore, whether at home or at workplaces. It has been immensely fulfilling to see the joy on workers’ faces, brought on by simple yet heartfelt activities that show our appreciation. As a Labour Movement, we will continue such efforts in looking after their welfare and also champion their employment rights while they are here contributing to nation-building.”
LM: More representative of and relevant to needs of migrant workers
Since 2009, the Labour Movement’s Migrant Workers’ Centre have been serving the needs of MWs in crucial areas of humanitarian assistance and representation. In recent months, MWC has strengthened its relevance to MWs via an expanded suite of services such as the MWC-POSB Membership Programme that ensures MWs’ preferred goods and services are made more affordable.
Later this year, the LM will play an increasingly important role in safeguarding the interests of new MWs who are settling in to Singapore to contribute to the nation’s success. As announced by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo at the event, MWC will be the sole training provider of the new Settling-In Programme, making it a one-stop service centre for newly-arrived migrant workers. Additionally, MWC will soon take over the operations of the Soon Lee Recreation Centre, an extension of the work that MWC does in ensuring migrant workers are cared for during their time here in Singapore.
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Annex A: May Day Migrant Workers Celebration 2018 programme
Annex B: Details of Labour Movement’s first-ever month-long May Day celebrations for migrant workers
