Over 75,000 in migrant community participated in International Migrants Day celebrations organised by MOM and their partners
To celebrate International Migrants Day (IMD) on 18 December 2024, the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group collaborated with more than 140 partners1 to organise a series of activities for migrant workers (MWs) and migrant domestic workers (MDWs) throughout the month of December. To date, over 75,000 MWs and MDWs have participated in these island-wide celebrations.
2 MOM partnered three key non-governmental organisations, namely Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach - a movement under Hope Initiative Alliance, and The Salvation Army, to organise a series of celebratory events for the migrant community at Recreation Centres, dormitories and in the community. New partners, including Decathlon, Fortis Construction, Jollibee, MudaSG, National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), Singapore Polytechnic and Wilmar International Limited, also contributed to the festivities.
3 IMD 2024 celebrations are organised along three key pillars of actions to: (i) raise awareness of the migrant community’s contributions, (ii) build public appreciation for the migrant community; and (iii) foster connections between Singaporeans and the migrant community.
Bringing migrant workers and local communities together through Recreation
4 This year’s celebrations are centered around the theme of recreation, and the bonds our migrant and local communities have formed through such activities.
5 An IMD concept train showcasing photographs and stories of four MWs and MDWs pursuing their interests during their leisure time was launched on 9 December 2024. The images and personal anecdotes reflect the multifaceted lives of the migrant community in Singapore and showcase their diverse talents and passions beyond their employment roles.
6 The Centre for Domestic Employees also organised a celebratory event at Resorts World Sentosa on 8 December 2024 to acknowledge the contributions of MDWs and highlight initiatives that are aimed at supporting their growth and well-being. The event was attended by close to 1,000 MDWs and their employers.
Fostering connections between the youth and the migrant community
7 This year’s IMD celebrations featured strong youth participation by students from the National University of Singapore, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Polytechnic. These student volunteers organised an array of activities for migrant workers, such as a kite-making workshop, a frisbee tournament, powerlifting sessions, and a tour to Gardens by the Bay. Additionally, around 100 local volunteers from NVPC and corporates such as Fortis Construction and NESST packed goodie bags for the migrant community.
Celebratory event in Jurong Lake Gardens and Recreation Centres
8 To bring the celebrations closer to the community, MOM’s ACE Group and MWC co-organised a large-scale event at Jurong Lake Gardens on 15 December. Over 10,000 members of the migrant community engaged in cultural activities organised by embassies and associations, and received goodie bags sponsored by Sian Chay Medical Institution. Highlights of the event included captivating performances by local and international artistes, as well as the Kabbadi tournament finals.
9 Seven recreation centres2 and several dormitories hosted a diverse range of activities to celebrate IMD. These included talent showcases, carnival games, Zumba sessions, sports tournaments, health screenings, and safety and mental health awareness programmes. Biryani bento boxes and goodie bags were also distributed to participating migrant workers.
10 Along with 20 other corporate sponsors, Burger King, Decathlon, Gardens by the Bay and McDonald’s provided sponsorships and discounts on food and beverages to MWs and MDWs as a gesture of appreciation for our migrant community.
11 “We are heartened by the enthusiasm and strong support from Singaporeans and our partners during this year’s International Migrants Day celebrations. These celebrations go beyond recognising our migrant community’s important contributions; they embody the importance of inclusivity and shared experiences in building a cohesive society. This spirit of mutual appreciation and inclusivity is what we aim for, and we are committed to cultivating it throughout the year,” said Mr Martin Koh, Deputy Chief, ACE Group and Chairman, Organising Committee for the 2024 IMD Celebrations.