Make it an inclusive society for migrant workers too

As stated in “Remember highly dependent special-needs children in inclusive society push” (July 8), there has been a lot of discussion about creating a more viably inclusive Singapore.

This led me to think of the migrant worker situation, here and round the world, where many people have left their homes, families and friends to take on jobs that locals in the destination countries are unwilling to do.

In Singapore, there are approximately a million migrant workers taking on low-wage but vital jobs in domestic work and the construction, manufacturing and service sectors. The relationship they have with our locals, however, is complicated.

Singaporeans routinely speak out against the presence of migrant workers and express displeasure at the influx of foreigners. Ugly stereotypes spread online are sometimes reflected in discriminatory behaviour and revulsion towards these workers, as well as ill-treatment or exploitation.

Foreign workers thus face difficulty in assimilating into Singaporean society. Hence measures have been taken to improve their welfare and protect them better. They now have greater access to avenues of help, instead of suffering in silence.

Nevertheless, more can be done to improve their living conditions, quality of food, and safety.

And video clips of their acts of kindness that have gone viral should urge Singaporeans to stop shunning migrant workers, but instead empathise with them and treat them equally.