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Minister Tan See Leng highlights importance of taking care of migrant workers’ mental health in Singapore

Minister Tan See Leng highlights importance of taking care of migrant workers’ mental health in Singapore

He also shared how the Ministry of Manpower is working with community partners to organise virtual activities to lift the spirits of migrant workers.

As part of this year’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) May Day Migrant Workers Celebration, a fully-virtual show livestreamed for close to 50,000 migrant workers in Singapore to tune in and join in the celebrations.

Organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), the virtual event held on 23 May 2021, was filled with live and pre-recorded performances at the MWC Facebook page. Present at the event was NTUC President Mary Liew, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, and Singapore’s Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng.

Manpower Minister Dr Tan See Leng, the event’s Guest-of-Honour, said in his Facebook: “I was glad to be part of NTUC's May Day Migrant Workers Celebration today, an occasion to show appreciation to our migrant workers and acknowledge their significant contributions to our nation-building.”

He went on to highlight the importance of taking care of migrant workers’ mental wellbeing, and how it’s necessary to protect the health and safety of migrant workers during this trying period. The virtual event is thus one of the many efforts to do so.

In addition to this event, he talked about how the Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group under the Ministry of Manpower is working with community partners to organise virtual activities to keep migrant workers engaged and to lift their spirits.

Sunday’s event comprised both live and pre-recorded performances by artists and celebrities from India, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, and fellow migrant workers in Singapore.

In tandem with the event, NTUC and MWC also announced programme for care packs for migrant workers. In it, migrant workers are expected to receive a T-shirt with key health and safety essential items like face masks, hand sanitisers, vitamins, to name a couple. Approximately 20,000 care packs will be distributed to the workers when social distancing regulation permits at a later date.

Additionally, NTUC introduced a virtual mosaic wall—a platform for the Labour Movement family to share their well-wishes and photos to lift the spirits of the migrant workers until 13 June.

NTUC Secretary General Ng Chee Meng shared on his Facebook: “Since the onset of COVID-19, our migrant brothers have had to make many sacrifices and adapt to new adjustments at work for health and safety. I’m sure that they miss their loved ones back at home as well.

“Despite these challenges, they have stayed strong and resilient, looking out for one another as well as Singaporeans. Hence, I want to reassure our migrant brothers that NTUC, MWC and our tripartite partner Singapore Ministry of Manpower will continue to be here for you, and we will walk this journey together with you.”

Image / NTUC SG Ng Chee Meng’s Facebook

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