We Will Get There: Making a Difference for Our Migrant Workers

Written by: Liu Min (24-A2), Tan Ting Xuan (24-E6), Lauren Tan (24-O1)

Designed by: Hung Jia Xuan (24-I6)

In case you missed it, our first article in this two-part series highlighted the sacrifices migrant workers make in their efforts to support loved ones back home. In Singapore, these workers often endure daily hardships that go unnoticed—ranging from societal discrimination and wage-related challenges to poor living conditions. In this second article, we delve deeper into the complex realities they face and explore how they can be managed.

Common Issues Faced

Among the workers interviewed, many did not explicitly express dissatisfaction with their salary. However, there was a shared concern about the high cost of living in Singapore. One construction worker related, “All items very expensive. I see the difference between the citizens and their high salaries, and the foreigners with their low salaries, but the items we buy are all same.”

According to the ItsRainingRaincoats’ (IRR) website, migrant workers typically earn a basic wage of just $18 per day. This limited income, coupled with the high costs of living in Singapore, makes it difficult for them to afford essentials such as groceries and meals — let alone healthcare or dental visits.

Another overlooked concern is the transportation of (construction) workers on the back of often overcrowded lorries, a common sight in Singapore. Migrant worker rights group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), HealthServe and Transient Workers Count 2 (TWC2) among many others, have urged the Government to ban the practice. From 2020 to 2024, the number of injuries from lorry accidents involving workers averaged around 356 per year. The Government finds the banning of transport by lorry not practical nor viable for businesses limited by capital amongst other factors. While the Government might encourage adopting alternative modes of transport, the increased costs incurred makes many businesses reluctant to do so. This push for safer worker transport modes is not new, and unresolved issues like this stresses the need for a reconsideration of migrant worker welfare.

Moreover, a less commonly known issue is the lack of opportunities for career advancements beyond manual labour in Singapore. One migrant worker shared that he holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Bangladesh, yet when asked about his current job as a construction worker, he reflected, “Don’t have the choice. Come Singapore, do construction work. Otherwise, you get a job, get higher education. But I can’t do that. I have two brothers, my family .’ This common sense of family duty is what sustains many of them through their gruelling days.

Finally, some migrant workers we spoke to brought up the problem of long working hours. A typical day in their lives starts by waking up at 6am with work running from 7.30am to 7.30pm, six days per week. Often, they are so exhausted from work that they spend their rest day sleeping.

What can be done to manage these issues?

In view of these complicated problems, various forms of legislation have been introduced to protect the rights of migrant workers. For instance, the partnership signed by Pro Bono Singapore and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 2024 allows migrant workers to seek free on-site legal assistance at the Migrant Workers’ Law Centre. It aims to provide legal support and advocacy to migrant workers, addressing mostly salary-related issues. To reduce heat stress risks among migrant construction workers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) mandates that these workers are given rest breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeds 32 degrees celsius. These measures display a committed effort to improve the physically demanding working conditions and promote the wellbeing of migrant workers.

At the same time, not all problems faced fall under categories that can be directly targeted by legislation. Some are more inherent in nature and require certain societal shifts to foster a community that is built on shared values of empathy and respect for migrant workers, primarily through greater interaction with the local community.

When our team went down to IRR, we were fortunate enough to interview a group of Filipino foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who believe strongly in giving back to the local community, having lived in Singapore for twenty years. Now regulars at IRR, they used to volunteer at hospices, spending time with terminally ill patients weekly. As one of them is a graduate from AIDHA, a school for migrant domestic workers specialising in financial literacy, they regularly try to give back to the organisation. Not only have they formed a multiracial team of foreign workers interested in volunteering, they also lead rich lives beyond their professional roles, such as one who is a Technical Official for the Singapore Athletic Association and a volunteer at the SEA Games. These women exemplify what it means to go above and beyond one’s role to challenge stereotypes and inspire social change.

At this point, perhaps you as a student are wondering how you can contribute meaningfully to migrant workers in Singapore. One way is through volunteering at IRR’s inspIRRe Charity Store, where our team helped out prior to the interviews. Volunteers can assist by sorting donations and restocking shelves with essential items for migrant workers to claim at no cost. Alternatively, you can donate to IRR’s initiatives to improve the quality of life of migrant workers. For more information, please visit their website here.

Conclusion

We hope that this second article in our two-part series has helped shed light on the multi-faceted nature of the challenges faced by migrant workers. While shaping public perceptions is still a work in progress, we hope that through small but consistent efforts, migrant workers will be recognised as an integral part of our community.