SINGAPORE - Ministers and migrant worker groups alike paid tribute to the contributions of foreign workers on a very different May Day on Friday .
Migrant advocacy group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics organised a special Labour Day dinner for about 50 foreign domestic workers living in its shelter. The shelter houses foreign domestic workers that have experienced abuse or exploitation, while some are resolving dispute with their employers.
"We want to avoid any risk, but we would also like to mark the occasion with them," said Ms Kalpana."It is to recognise the work that they have done before, and support them in the situations they are going through now, while away from their families," she added.The workers have been supportive of one another, said Ms Kalpana. A newly-formed entertainment team has organised Zumba and yoga sessions, to keep themselves occupied.
Migrant group Transient Workers Count Too said in its May Day statement that around the world, those who are lowly paid have suffered higher rates of infection. May 1 is hence"a time to reaffirm the common aspiration of working people everywhere for a fairer world, in which all honest labour is respected and enjoys its just reward", it said.
On Friday, Hindu temples, Hindu organisations and several Indian community groups also began giving out 5,000 care packs to migrant workers who have recovered from Covid-19. The initiative was driven by the Community Seva Committee of the Hindu Endowments Board.