SINGAPORE — The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) today (Jan 26) unveiled a new centre that’s double the size of its current headquarters on Rangoon Road to better meet the needs of a growing number of migrant workers who approach them for help.

Located on Serangoon Road, the new three-storey centre is equipped with an emergency shelter that can house up to eight workers if necessary.

The MWC, a tie-up between the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers’ Federation, has assisted an increasing number of migrant workers over the years, from 1,500 in 2011 to 2,500 in 2012 and 3,500 last year.

Starting next month, the MWC will start a volunteer corps called the MWC Kakis for members of the public who are keen to volunteer.

Speaking at the centre’s opening ceremony today, Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang listed the MWC’s priorities for the year ahead.

These include advocating to a formalisation of having skills requirement as a pre-requisite for workers if an employer wants to renew their work passes and having a model employment contract for migrant similar to those for Foreign Domestic Workers.