Inaugural appreciation dinner to recognise contribution of foreign workers ambassadors

1. About three hundred Foreign Worker (FW) Ambassadors were lauded for their contribution in helping the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to extend its outreach and education efforts to the foreign worker community at the inaugural FW Ambassadors Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, 1 July 2017.  Held at the MOM Services Centre in Bendemeer, the dinner was attended by FWs, employers and dormitory operators.
2. At the dinner, Minister for Manpower, Mr Lim Swee Say presented the Star Ambassador Awards to three outstanding FW Ambassadors.  They were honoured for their dedication and exemplary efforts in providing assistance to fellow workers.
   
   FW Ambassadors Play an Important Role in the Community
3. Initiated in November 2014, the FW Ambassador Programme leans on a sustained group of MOM-trained foreign workers to provide peer-to-peer help and advice on employment-related matters as a first line of assistance. To date, there are approximately 1,400 FW Ambassadors.
4. These FW Ambassadors often are the first go-to advisors for fellow FWs on workers’ rights and responsibilities. Besides helping to spread these important messages, they would also point fellow workers in need of assistance to MOM. All these on-the-ground initiatives support MOM’s overall efforts to safeguard the well-being of FWs.
5. Speaking at the dinner, Mr Kevin Teoh, Divisional Director at MOM’s Foreign Manpower Management Division, said, “MOM is appreciative of the FW Ambassadors.  As we are unable to be on the ground 24/7, these ambassadors are literally our eyes and ears, and our mouthpieces. We encourage more to come forward to join the Programme, especially those who have received help from the Ambassadors.  Pay it forward, and create a positive peer-to-peer influence in the community.”
   
   Star Ambassador Award to Recognise Exemplary FW Ambassadors
6. Three foreign workers received the Star Ambassador Award for their exemplary efforts at the dinner (Annex). One of the awards recipients, Mr Veluchamy Muniapparaj, 31, said, “I am happy to receive this award. I have been helped by MOM previously and now I am able to advise and help fellow workers too.”
7. Employers or dormitory operators who wish to nominate their FWs or residents to become FW Ambassadors can write in to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122 with details of the worker’s name, work pass number, handphone number or email details. We also welcome FWs who wish to join the ranks as an FW Ambassador to approach MOM.