Soroptimists work with the Humanitarian
Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) to help migrant workers in Singapore

"Singapore, as in many countries in Asia and the Middle-East,
is heavily reliant on a foreign labour force economic growth. Out of the 1.3
million migrant workers in Singapore as of 2014, the bulk of the migrant
workers are from the construction, manufacturing, marine, process, domestic or
service sectors. The domestic work sector sees the highest number of females
from the following countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India,
Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal and Pakistan.

The Singapore government has sound frameworks and laws to
protect the unskilled and the low-skilled migrant workers. But many of these
laws and frameworks fall short of protecting the rights of these workers and
instead tend to be more concerned with procedural matters in relation to labour
issues. It is not surprising then that migrant workers’ dignity and rights are
often compromised. Furthermore, weak enforcement of some laws as well as the
fact that many migrant workers are unable to speak English and have poor
knowledge of their worker rights, have compounded their vulnerabilities.

In 2015 Soroptimist International of Singapore (SIS)
partnered with HOME, a non-governmental organization in Singapore, established
2004, dedicated to upholding the rights and well-being of migrant workers. The
organization’s work is notable in the areas of protecting and strengthening
migrant workers’ rights to justice, decent work conditions, social security and
adequate living standards.1

HOME cares for and supports the well-being of migrant workers
through a range of programmes and services. One essential service they run is a
safe shelter which houses migrant women workers who have experienced labour
abuses and other forms of human rights violations.

SIS has supported and engaged with the shelter residents in
a number of ways. Throughout 2015, SIS supported Home’s shelter services
through donations in kind as well as through activities that enhance the
physical and psychological well-being of the women taking refuge under HOME’s
shelter. In February of the same year, SIS organised a tea party to raise funds
for HOME’s shelter. The event also raised awareness on the work of HOME as the
Director of HOME was present to give an address. In June through to September,
SIS held regular Pilates and Zumba classes for the female residents at the
shelter and in October and November, SIS created a therapeutic edible vegetable
garden, in collaboration with a group of students from the National Institute
of Education and IPRS. The activity was aimed at encouraging the residents at
the shelter to enjoy nature and to care and harvest their own vegetables.

 

Picture: Residents of HOME working on the
edible vegetable garden, created by SIS, in collaboration with students from National Institute of Education and Institute
of Parks and Recreations Singapore.

"In addition, SIS organised an Eco-Heritage Walk at Rumah Tinggi, one of Singapore’s early
historic settlements, for 25 residents at HOME. SIS also secured tickets for 20
residents to attend the 2015 Southeast Asian Games grand closing ceremony.

As in the previous two years, when SIS raised funds for a
safe shelter in Timor-Leste run by the Holy Spirit sisters, in 2015 members of
SIS organized a Christmas bake sale. In conjunction with the Christmas bake
sale, members also had a small Christmas bazaar at the Sentosa Boardwalk where
they sold buntings and coasters made by the residents of the shelter. The club
also took the opportunity to raise awareness of SIS’s work in Singapore and the
Southeast Asian region as well as the organisation, Soroptimist International’s
mission at the global level.

 

Picture: At the Christmas Bazaar Sale 2015,
where SIS raised funds for HOME and created greater awareness of SIS’s work
locally and globally.

"According to HOME’s latest report, the organization, since
its inception has housed more than 737 women including victims of human
trafficking and forced labour 2.  
HOME’s shelter services remains crucial for the well-being of these
victims as there are no other shelter services dedicated solely to migrant
workers in Singapore.

Committed to caring for and restoring the dignity of migrant
workers who are victims of abuse and exploitation, the shelter provides not
only a roof for those waiting for a resolution from the authorities. The
shelter provides recovery and rehabilitation programmes for residents.
Activities, performances, workshops and outings are organized to engage their
residents during their stay at the shelter. All of this would not be possible
without the tremendous support HOME receives from its volunteers, various
community partners, and schools.

Soroptimist International of Singapore (SIS) values the
contributions and efforts of HOME to uphold the rights and dignity of migrant
workers in Singapore, especially the large number of females from the domestic
sector.

In 2016, SIS plans to continue to support the work of HOME.
In collaboration with HOME, they will be hosting a panel discussion on labour
trafficking issues. The Prevention of Human Trafficking Bill was passed in 2014
as Singapore continues to confront the issue of labour trafficking and it is
the objective that the panel discussion provides a platform to review the
Singapore government’s actions concerning labour trafficking since the passing
of the bill".

(1) http://www.home.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/HOME-UPR-Report-13-June-2015.pdf

(2) http://home.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/AnnualR.2015.pdf

 Blog by Soroptomist
International of Singapore (SIS),