~ Tapping on whole of integrated NTUC network to support migrant workers ~
~ Migrant workers to enjoy diverse services and activities at the three MWRCs ~
Migrant workers (MW) can look forward to more services and activities at three migrant worker recreation centres (MWRCs) in Western Singapore in the coming months. These centres, namely Tuas South RC, Terusan RC and Penjuru RC, will be operated by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) via NTUC Club from 1 August 2024 for three years. NTUC has been appointed to operate these MWRCs through a Partnership Agreement signed with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) today.
On this collaboration, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong said, “NTUC cares for and has been championing our migrant workers’ interests and welfare because every worker matters. We are taking a migrant worker-centric approach to serving them at these three recreation centres. We want to provide community spaces where they can relax, enjoy a variety of social and recreational services and get daily necessities at reasonable prices, after a hard day’s work.”
Tapping on Whole of Integrated NTUC capabilities to support migrant workers
NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation established the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) in 2009 to champion MWs’ interests and wellbeing in Singapore. MWC has operated the Migrant Workers’ Centre Recreation Club at 51 Soon Lee (MWCRC @ Soon Lee) since 2018, and it is now a buzzing community space for MWs. At MWCRC @ Soon Lee, MWs can seek work-related assistance from MWC (See Annex A for MWC’s support for the MW community); access various services for daily necessities; and take part in social and recreational activities.
From years of operating MWCRC @ Soon Lee, NTUC, through MWC, has garnered a good understanding of MWs’ needs and preferences; and gained good operational capabilities and expertise in managing a MWRC. Now, by leveraging these knowledge and capabilities, coupled with NTUC Club’s leisure and entertainment expertise, NTUC can further tap on its whole integrated network to mobilise partners and resources; and provide diverse social and recreational activities, to better serve MWs’ needs at the three additional MWRCs.
Michael Lim, Director of NTUC’s Migrant Workers Segment, emphasised NTUC’s commitment to enhancing MWs’ well-being in Singapore, “Given NTUC’s deep understanding of migrant workers’ needs and operating of MWCRC at Soon Lee, MOM is now entrusting NTUC with operating three additional MWRCs. We can leverage the strength of our NTUC network to further serve them at these MWRCs, be it to seek workplace assistance, take care of daily necessities or partake in social and recreational activities.”
Providing diverse services and activities for migrant workers at the three MWRCs
At the Tuas South RC, Terusan RC and Penjuru RC, NTUC will add more vibrancy and provide more diverse services and activities for MWs. With MWCRC @ Soon Lee also located in the West, NTUC will leverage economies of scale, capabilities in operating a RC and knowledge of MWs’ needs to complement current service and activity offerings at the three MWRCs to better engage, educate and entertain MWs. NTUC Club will programme and operationalise various services and activities , which include but are not limited to:
a) Providing MWs with leisure, entertainment and interest group-based events, activities and facilities by NTUC Club.
b) Training and skills upgrading for MWs through enrichment and wellness programmes run by NTUC LearningHub.
c) Extending NTUC Income’s Care4Migrant Workers Insurance to MWs through the MWC Associate Membership.
d) Advocating and safeguarding MWs’ welfare and interests through MWC’s outreach and assistance efforts; and with support from the MWC Ambassador Network.
e) Sharing of information and knowledge with MWs through interactive and engagement programmes by NGOs, corporate sponsors and government agencies.
Caring for the interests and wellbeing of migrant workers
As a caring Labour Movement, NTUC will continue to care for the interests and wellbeing of our migrant workers at work, live and play because NTUC Cares and Every Worker Matters.
