Remember the semi-skilled migrant workers too

This letter was published in TODAY on 9 July 2008.

I refer to the report “Newcomers get some help settling in” (July 7). The formation of more self-help groups catering to new migrants’ needs is a welcome development.

However, apart from highly-skilled professionals and expatriates, we are also seeing an increase in the number of low- and semi-skilled migrant workers entering Singapore. Engaging this group of migrants in our community building efforts is important as well. Some Singaporeans may have negative perceptions towards such workers, blaming them for problems such as littering, drunkenness and crime.

Mutual understanding, respect and trust are important if we want to build strong community ties among groups with different cultures and lifestyles. Self-help groups and other organisations may want to consider engaging migrants. Being a migrant anywhere in the world is seldom easy, especially if you feel alienated and marginalised by the community that is your host.

Mr Zainudin Nordin’s call to focus on values that cut across religions and races is a welcome statement. We hope this call will include the interests of the low- and semi-skilled migrant workers in our midst.