• MWC signs two MOUs to provide new membership benefits – exclusive courses in an online learning platform and discounted movie tickets
• MWC launches new gym and Ambassadors’ Club at the Migrant Workers’ Centre Recreation Club to improve migrant workers’ welfare
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) organised the NTUC May Day Migrant Workers’ Celebration across two locations this year in celebration of the migrant worker (MW) community in Singapore. The celebrations, which took place at the MWC Recreation Club (RC) and Tuas View Dormitory, were graced by Guest-of-Honour NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan (DSG Tan) and attended by some 26,000 MWs, union leaders and guests.
At the event, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed to enhance MWC Associate Membership benefits, including providing better recreational and upskilling opportunities for members. Additionally, as part of continuous efforts to improve the welfare of the MW community, MWC launched a new gym at the MWC Recreation Club and introduced a MWC Ambassadors’ Club to acknowledge the significant contributions MWC Ambassadors have made to the migrant worker community.
Enhancing MWC membership offerings to better serve migrant workers’ interests
MWC has been working with several partners to ensure that the needs and interests of MWs and MWC members are met and protected. At the event, MWC Executive Director Michael Lim signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that aim to extend more recreational options for members and promote learning on-the-go exclusively for them. The signing ceremony was witnessed by DSG Tan.
a. MOU with Grow Education Ltd to host exclusive courses for MWC members on their online learning platform, Grow Studio
i. Grow Studio is dedicated to supporting migrant workers learn at their own pace during their free time.
ii. The platform offers customised lesson plans, courses and quizzes for all migrant workers to enable effective learning.
iii. Additionally, exclusive courses will be made available only to MWC members through a “member-only” community feature on the platform, allowing them greater access to more courses.
b. MOU with Carnival Cinemas to provide movie ticket discounts
i. MWC members can purchase discounted movie tickets at Carnival Cinemas for $8.00 (regular price at $16.00) from Monday to Thursday.
DSG Tan said, “Today, we extend our deepest appreciation to our migrant workers, whose tireless efforts have been instrumental in shaping Singapore's economy and society. To show our care and commitment to protecting our migrant workers’ interests and welfare, NTUC and MWC will continue to step up efforts to address the needs and concerns of our migrant worker community and provide enhanced benefits for our MWC members. One such example today is the signing of two MOUs that our MWC members can stand to benefit from through upskilling and better welfare support. As Singapore continues to progress, we want our migrant workers to be alongside us as well, so that no one is left behind. I invite our migrant workers to join us and be a MWC member, so that we can help you with access to insurance, medical protection, and other benefits.”
Improving migrant workers’ welfare
MWC also launched two new initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of migrant workers.
a. Launch of Ambassadors’ Club at MWC Recreation Club
i. MWC Ambassadors are MWs who volunteer their time and effort to support their peers, demonstrating exceptional dedication in their roles. They are instrumental in helping newly arrived MWs understand Singapore’s employment laws and assist them in their smooth integration into society.
ii. This club, exclusively for MWC Ambassadors, aims to provide a dedicated space where they can relax during their off days or if they need to take a quick break from work.
iii. It will serve as a communal hub for MWC Ambassadors, offering a space where they can connect with peers and enjoy various games and recreational activities.
b. Launch of Gym at MWC Recreation Club
i. In a continuous effort to provide better amenities, the new gym at the MWC Recreation Club will offer MWs a constructive and enjoyable way to spend their free time, promoting both their physical and mental well-being.
ii. Over the past two years, MWC has observed a growing interest in fitness in the MW community, highlighted by the success of its bodybuilding competitions conducted last year. In addition, through various focus group discussions with MWC Ambassadors since March 2024, MWC found that MWs have a strong interest in fitness but noted that they lacked access to proper gym equipment.
iii. In response, MWC, in collaboration with the Association of Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Singapore, launched a fully equipped gym that is available to all MWs on a complimentary basis.
Michael Lim, Executive Director of Migrant Workers’ Centre said, “The launch of these two significant initiatives is one of the many milestones for MWC as we strive to enhance the welfare and well-being of our migrant worker community. The Ambassadors’ Club at MWC RC and the new gym demonstrate our commitment to foster a supportive and enriching environment for all migrant workers. We are dedicated to further enhance our support and will continue to champion the interests and welfare of our migrant workers. NTUC and MWC recognise their invaluable contributions and aim to continue improving their quality of life both on and off work, ensuring their well-being and productivity.”
“We are pleased to partner with the Migrant Workers' Centre to establish a well-equipped gym at their recreation club. This initiative demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting health and fitness within the migrant worker community, offering them the opportunity to improve physical health, build strength, and enjoy a positive outlet for their energy. For the past two years, we have partnered MWC to hold bodybuilding competitions specifically for migrant workers, who have been training in classrooms until now. This new gym will provide better training conditions, enabling us to groom more bodybuilding champions for upcoming competitions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on their lives,” said Thenesh Prakkash, Honorary Treasurer, Association of Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Singapore.
Fostering a sense of community among migrant workers
As part of the NTUC May Day Migrant Workers Celebrations this year, MWC organised a series of activities to keep MWs engaged. One highlight was the annual Bodybuilding Competition, with 30 participating MWs. The competition aimed to foster a sense of community among the workers, encouraging them to connect and support each other. Additionally, it promoted MW’s physical well-being by motivating participants to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in regular exercise. Through this competition, MWC hoped to enhance the overall morale and welfare of MWs, making them feel valued and appreciated in our society.
Looking ahead, NTUC and MWC will continue to uplift the migrant worker community by prioritising their welfare through providing essential resources and support, particularly for MWC members. This commitment includes actively listening to members and tailoring membership benefits to meet their wants and needs.
