You've Got A Friend In Me: How To Help Migrant Workers
Following the announcement that migrant workers will be relocated to housing estates to curb the spread of COVID-19, a campaign has been launched to pre-emptively counter concerns about people adopting a "Not in my backyard" stance to these workers moving in.
Titled "Welcome In My Backyard", or WIMBY for short, this community effort is the brainchild of MP Anthea Ong. WIMBY encourages members of the public to express support and appreciation for migrant workers during this period by posting words of encouragement and welcome to the workers on the WIMBY website, which will also be translated and put up in the nearby HDB blocks where the workers will reside.
If you'd like to do your part to support the migrant community during this period, here are some other ways you can help:
1. Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund
Legit not? Yes. The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) was jointly set-up in May 2012 by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Recently, MWC distributed 370,000 reusable masks to migrant workers in dormitories across Singapore, and are in the process of getting toiletries for them. The Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund (MWAF) aims to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to distressed migrant workers.
How to help? Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $10, $70, $150, $300 or any other amount. Every $10 donation enables MWC to provide 3 meals for 1 distressed migrant worker for 1 day. You can create an account or log in with Facebook.
Payment mode: Credit/Debit cards, or scanning NETS QR code. Giving.sg will email you an acknowledgement upon receipt of donation.
Things to note: Need to provide full name, NRIC and email for tax deduction, and provide date of birth to certify that you are above 13 years old to make a donation on Giving.sg.
2. Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics
Legit not? Yes. Founded in 2004, Humanitarian Organisation for Migrant Economics (HOME) is a local charity dedicated to empowering and supporting migrant workers who suffer abuse, exploitation and violation of human rights. Aside from running a shelter for domestic helpers, HOME also offers legal assistance, health education and vocational training to migrant workers.
How to help? Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $50, $250, $500, $1000 or any other amount. Every $50 donation will provide 5 migrant workers with basical healthcare by enabling them to meet GP costs and ensure that flu-like symptoms are not overlooked during this period. You can create an account or log in with Facebook.
Payment mode: Credit/Debit cards, or scanning NETS QR code. Giving.sg will email you an acknowledgement upon receipt of donation.
Things to note: Need to provide full name, NRIC and email for tax deduction, and provide date of birth to certify that you are above 13 years old to make a donation on Giving.sg.
3. MaskForce
Legit not? Yes. Led by MP Sim Ann, this community-driven initiative produces and distributes mask kits to migrant workers and domestic helpers. Each mask kit contains two reusable cloth masks that have a filter pocket, as well as one surgical mask which can be used as a filter. The organisers are also working closely with Migrant Workers' Centre to identify migrant worker needs and plan distribution of kits.
How to help? Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $10, $60, $120, $220 or any other amount. Contributions will help MaskForce provide migrant workers with a second or even third round of practical and helpful items. You can create an account or log in with Facebook.
Payment mode: Credit/Debit cards, or scanning NETS QR code. Giving.sg will email you an acknowledgement upon receipt of donation.
Things to note: Need to provide full name, NRIC and email for tax deduction, and provide date of birth to certify that you are above 13 years old to make a donation on Giving.sg.
4. Hope Initiative Alliance
Legit not? Yes. Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA) is an interracial and interreligious alliance of social service organisations, civil groups and corporations which organises several movements to improve the quality of life for marginalised communities. One such movement is the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO), which distributed Care Meals to 9,218 guest workers from 113 factory-converted dormitories (FCDs) on Good Friday. While this was initially a one-day project, the exercise was extended to a continuous effort to support these migrant workers throughout the circuit breaker period.
How to help? Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $50, $500, $1000, $5000 or any other amount. Every $50 enables HIA to provide 25 meals for migrant workers. You can create an account or log in with Facebook.
Payment mode: Credit/Debit cards, or scanning NETS QR code. Giving.sg will email you an acknowledgement upon receipt of donation.
Things to note: Need to provide full name, NRIC and email for tax deduction, and provide date of birth to certify that you are above 13 years old to make a donation on Giving.sg.
5. HAGAR Singapore
Legit not? Yes. HAGAR is an international NGO which helps women and children who are survivors of human rights abuse such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation. During this COVID-19 period, HAGAR Singapore is providing aid to over 1700 migrant workers in the form of economic support for those without income, healthcare support for workers with medical conditions, tele-counselling for distressed workers and essential supplies such as face masks and hand sanitisers.
How to help? Go to this link at Giving.sg and make a donation of $20, $50, $100, $200 or any other amount. Every $20 enables HAGAR to provide 2 days of food for a migrant worker. You can create an account or log in with Facebook.
Payment mode: Credit/Debit cards, or scanning NETS QR code. Giving.sg will email you an acknowledgement upon receipt of donation.
Things to note: Need to provide full name, NRIC and email for tax deduction, and provide date of birth to certify that you are above 13 years old to make a donation on Giving.sg.
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