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By Shukry Rashid
The Labour Movement would continue enhancing protection for migrant workers, ensuring their workplace safety and educating migrant workers about scams.
NTUC said this during its Migrant Workers’ Centre’s (MWC) International Migrants Day celebrations on 18 December 2022 at the MWC Recreation Club.
It was the first fully physical celebration after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
MWC also organised activities such as sports events, a concert, giveaway of goodie bags and an award ceremony for migrant worker ambassadors.
Through the MWC Associate Membership, migrant workers can enjoy specifically tailored discounts and benefits that serve their needs and lifestyles.
Some of the benefits include a group insurance plan by NTUC Income which protects migrant workers against critical illnesses, death, and non-work-related accidents.
With the associate membership, migrant workers can also benefit from cost savings when they spend on goods and services such as mobile services, training and upgrading course.
NTUC first announced the fully digital membership last year and was officially launched last month.
To ensure that migrant workers stay safe at the workplace, MWC has been working with the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council to conduct outreach activities and help migrant workers stay familiar with the latest WSH guidelines.
In light of the spate of workplace accidents this year, MWC has also been aiding migrant workers involved in fatal and non-fatal workplace accidents.
MWC has collaborated with the Singapore Police Force and grassroots ambassadors to engage migrant workers at the Little India and Rochor area to educate them on identifying scams and navigating online platforms safely.
NTUC said scams are a growing concern among migrant workers.
Close to $25 million was lost by migrant workers to scams in 2021, more than five times the $4.5 million that was lost in 2019.
Guest-of-honour NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan said migrant workers are often vulnerable to their new environment due to language or cultural barriers.
He added: “It is our responsibility to take care of their welfare and needs based on the ground feedback gathered from these migrant workers.”
As migrant workers celebrate the year-end festivities, MWC also reminds them to keep themselves safe by staying alert against potentially unsafe situations at the workplace as well as be vigilant against scams.
The celebrations at the MWC Recreation Club on 18 December 2022 featured a concert featuring popular artistes from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and the Philippines.
The festive cheer will carry on with a second concert that will take place on 26 December 2022 at the Tuas View Dormitory. The concerts on both days will be livestreamed on MWC’s Facebook page.
The celebratory activities across the two days are expected to engage 18,000 migrant workers on-site, and 100,000 online viewers for the concerts.