Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Singapore

12/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/15/2024 21:25

Address by Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, International Migrants Day Celebration at Jurong Lake Garden at International Migrants Day Celebration

Address by Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, International Migrants Day Celebration at Jurong Lake Garden at International Migrants Day Celebration

Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, Jurong Lake Gardens

15 December 2024 Foreign manpower
Distinguished guests,
Migrant friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
1. Good afternoon! I am delighted to be here with you to celebrate International Migrants Day 2024.
Acknowledging migrant community's contributions
2. This is our annual opportunity to recognise and celebrate the valuable contributions of our migrant friends in Singapore. Migrant workers and migrant domestic workers contribute significantly to our society.
3. Other than today's event here at Jurong Lake Gardens, we are also celebrating International Migrants Day at the various Recreation Centres or RCs. I am also heartened to note that many employers had also organised independent celebration events at their workplaces and dormitories to show their appreciation to their workers.
4. The migrant community is an essential part of Singapore's story. You build our homes, care for our loved ones and contribute to Singapore's growth and progress. You have built our HDB flats, our MRT stations, and our roads. Maybe some of you present today also built the beautiful landscaping you see here in Jurong Lake Gardens!
5. On behalf of all Singaporeans, I want to say a heartfelt thank you.
Ensuring the well-being of migrant community
6. While you are here in Singapore, we will do our part to ensure your well-being. We launched the multi-year roadmap in 2021 to uplift migrant workers' living conditions, provide better access to basic healthcare needs and enhance social and recreational options.
7. I am happy to share that we have made good progress in realising the roadmap. Just last month, I visited the site for the new dormitory in Tukang - the first to be built and owned by the Government. On top of meeting the new dormitory standards, we took in migrant workers' feedback in designing the living and communal spaces within the dormitory. We hope that other dormitories will strive towards adopting these innovative designs as best practices over time.
8. We have also put in place a primary healthcare system for migrant workers to have affordable and convenient access to basic healthcare services near their dormitories. And we raised the medical insurance coverage last year so that employers are better protected against large medical bills, and workers can have the peace of mind when they need hospitalisation care.
Upcoming developments for the Recreation Centres (RCs)
9. Beyond housing and healthcare, we also want to enrich migrant workers' social and recreational options. Currently, we have nine RCs located across Singapore. Many migrant workers visit these RCs for their daily and recreational needs, such as for groceries, meals with friends, and to participate in activities like English classes or sports tournaments, organised by our NGO partners.
10. Still, I think we can do more to make the RCs even more attractive to migrant workers. Earlier this year, we said that MOM will appoint external partners with strong operational expertise and good understanding of migrant workers' needs to operate RCs. Through this, we hope to have a vibrant mix of tenants and partners to pilot innovative programmes.
11. I am excited to share that next year, we will invite like-minded partners to submit proposals to operate the Kaki Bukit and Woodlands RCs. These proposals will be evaluated based on how well they can enhance the diversity and quality of the offerings and programmes, to better meet the needs of migrant workers.
12. We are also planning to upgrade some of the existing RCs to meet evolving needs and pilot new innovations. For example, we will add new spaces for functions and training classes at Penjuru RC. We will also designate Soon Lee and Kaki Bukit RCs as testbeds for new and innovative design concepts. One idea we are exploring is to bring essential government services to the RCs. We will be seeking views and feedback on ways to make our recreation facilities even more welcomed and well-utilised by our migrant workers.
Whole-of-society effort
13. Ensuring the well-being of our migrant community requires a whole-of-society effort. Apart from the Government's efforts, the contributions of NGOs and society are equally important. That is why we have cultivated a network of partners across various sectors, so we can tap on their strengths, broaden the scope of services available and ensure our migrant community receive holistic support.
MWC's MOU with Pro Bono SG
14. To this end, I am pleased to share the Migrant Workers' Centre's, or MWC's new initiative with Pro Bono SG. Later on, they will sign a MOU to establish the Migrant Workers' Law Centre at MWC's office on Serangoon Road.
15. Supported by the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund, this centre will provide on-site legal guidance and representation for migrant workers.
Closing
16. Today's celebration is another example of how the whole-of-society can come together to support the needs of the migrant community. My sincere appreciation to the following organisations who had made today's event here possible
  • Migrant Workers' Centre;
  • The Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach;
  • The Salvation Army;
  • Sian Chay Medical Institution;
  • Over 70 youth volunteers from various youth groups such as Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and MudaSG;
  • As well as the embassies, NGOs, community and corporate partners
17. .... thank you for your strong support!
18. Together, we can build a more inclusive Singapore and a stronger, more resilient ecosystem for our migrant community.
19. I wish all of you a Happy International Migrants Day! Thank you.