Support migrant workers through COVID-19 and beyond
9 April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected many in Singapore, and the community of migrant workers has not been spared either: it is unpredictable and constantly evolving, and has created pressure on everyone. The termination of employment, unpaid wages, as well as inadequate access to healthcare and medical aid, are increasingly common threats faced by the migrant community.
We want to help workers cope with the disruptions from the outbreak and to allocate resources to areas where it is needed most. HOME has ramped up our support services and would like to continue doing so in the months to follow. Your donations will help us:
1) Provide shelter for our Domestic Workers who are in distress and are unable to go home. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have had to increase the capacity of our shelter, incurring many additional monthly costs towards rent, food, cleaning and disinfecting. Donations in cash would allow us to better meet these additional monthly overheads.
2) Provide financial assistance to all migrant workers, who are in need of urgent medical care. Due to recently imposed travel restrictions, many of our migrant workers who were due to return home are currently unable to do so. Some of them are in need of urgent medical care for critical illnesses.
3) Provide financial assistance for food, transport, and communication. Many of our beneficiaries are not allowed to seek employment. They struggle to make ends meet, and can barely afford basic necessities and essentials; sufficient food, transport, and pre-paid cards to call home.
4) Legal assistance and counsel. Many workers are being unfairly dismissed, and many others have had their wages withheld. We expect this to continue in the upcoming months. Donations in cash would enable us to continue our case work and support to the most vulnerable.
5) Providing remote counselling and emotional support. In this time of uncertainty and great anxiety, many of our distressed migrant workers require emotional support, especially in a language they understand. We match our migrant workers with our organisation’s volunteers, and sometimes a nominal cost is incurred.
6) Providing our workers with preventive measures. To better protect themselves, and updating them on the changing advisories issued by government authorities. We do so in a language they understand through social media content.
No amount is too small. You can make a difference!