The Friendly Neighbourhood Ambassadors
20 January 2015
It’s a Sunday afternoon. We
are at a school campus. There are no classes. Yet on 16 November 2014, a large
group gathered at Republic Polytechnic, decked in orange shirts, with the word “Ambassador”.
What is happening?
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Excitedly taking on their new roles as Foreign
Worker Ambassadors
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A lighthearted moment at the game booths
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The Polytechnic in Woodlands
was the venue for our Foreign Worker Cascading Workshop. 306 workers,
recognised by their dormitory operators and companies for their leadership
abilities and positive influence, became FW Ambassadors. They will spread news
to their colleagues and friends about matters regarding employment rights and
regulations.
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FW Ambassadors proudly displaying their ambassador
cards
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FW Ambassadors showing off their dance
moves
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We customised a fun-filled,
interactive and educational workshop that was conducted in the respective native
languages of the Indian, Chinese and Bangladeshi Ambassadors. The workshop started
off with cultural performances, and moved on to a series of presentations. The Ambassadors
needed little encouragement and participated in games and skits, delighting their
fellow ambassadors with their sense of humour and improvised dialogue.
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A conducive, relaxing environment for
the entertaining, yet informative, skits
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The emcee emphasising an aspect of work safety through
games and challenges
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The Ambassadors appreciated
the booths set up by the National Environment Agency, Singapore Police Force, Singapore
Civil Defence Force, Singapore Kindness Movement, Customs, Central Narcotics
Bureau and Migrant Workers Centre to engage them. Many visited the booths more
than once, and found it easy to digest the information, which ranged from law
and order, to social norms.
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Officer from the Singapore Police Force
giving collaterals to FWs
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Games and prizes galore, carnival style
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A day well spent
With goodie bags in hand and
newly-gained knowledge in mind, the event came to a close, but not before the
newly-appointed Ambassadors shared some sentiments.
“I find this workshop very meaningful. It has helped me to better
understand the rules and regulations. With more information, I believe it will
be helpful to my work,” said Mr Liu Song Pin, 33, a construction worker
from China who has been working in Singapore for a year.
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Mr Liu sharing his positive feedback about
the workshop
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28-year-old Mr Chidambaram Ilaiaraja from Sim Lian
Construction added: “I had fun watching the performances, but more importantly,
it reminded us to never forget our Personal
Protective Equipment at work. I even remember MOM’s helpline number now, thanks
to my friends acting on stage!”
Mr Pinto
Ahmmad Sirijul Islam, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi working as an electrician at Kingsmen Exhibits Pte Ltd said, “Good programme. I learnt about bringing up safety issues to my employer,
and how MOM listens to what we have to say. I can confidently tell my friends
about Singapore’s regulations, and explain rights and responsibilities, and even
explain about work permit renewal!”
A home away from home
Our foreign friends are a long
way from home. Many are apprehensive while some feel anxiety at being separated
from their friends and families. Being part of the team organising this
workshop was a fulfilling experience for me. The team’s effort brought comfort
and reassurance to these workers, who will in turn, spread the goodwill among their
fellow workers.
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Everybody loves Ming, the MOM Mascot
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Vanessa Ang
Foreign Manpower Management Division, MOM
