HOME’s 20th Anniversary Event: A Recap
“Change happens on the premise that people rebel against the status quo—HOME’s 20th year anniversary is also an occasion where we must celebrate all the quarrelsome and troublesome people who have sparked change.” ~ Panellist at HOME’s 20th Anniversary Event
On Sunday, 15 September 2024, more than 100 people gathered at the Projector Golden Mile to commemorate 20 years of HOME. It was an intimate event organised to reminisce with and thank the countless people who have supported HOME through the years.
The event began with an anniversary video directed by HOME’s Board Member Grace Baey, which spotlighted staff and volunteers who have long been involved with HOME, as well as migrant workers who are the core of HOME’s community. In the video, interviewees shared what HOME means to them, their cherished memories with HOME, and their hopes for HOME’s future.
Screengrabs from HOME’s 20th anniversary video by Grace Baey
This was followed by a panel discussion about the migrant advocacy movement over the past decades in Singapore.
The panel featured:
Jolovan Wham, former Executive Director of HOME and long-time HOME staff;
Teo Soh Lung, member of Function8 and a volunteer at the Geylang Catholic Centre during the 1980s;
Braema Mathi, founding member of TWC2 and former Nominated Member of Parliament;
Sudesna Roy Chowdhury, healthcare worker and member of Migrant Mutual Aid.
The panel was moderated by Leon Perera, currently HOME’s Board Member.
The discussion kicked off with the panellists sharing their thoughts on how the migrant rights movement landscape has developed over the years. While HOME’s journey began in 2004, the fight for migrant workers’ rights had been set in motion many years prior. Some of the panellists recounted the difficulties faced in the early years, where public awareness was low and resources were limited.
The panellists agreed that while the landscape has seen improvements, especially with the growth in migrant rights groups, there remains an underlying atmosphere of fear. Various panellists brought up instances of migrant workers who have been penalised or intimidated for speaking up. The lack of substantive change despite decades of advocacy was also discussed. (One panellist even quipped: “New groups will not fill in the gaps … it is policy change that will fill the gaps.”)
Despite this, one panellist noted the “quiet victories” that should also be acknowledged, such as how migrant workers have more opportunities now to switch employers if there has been a violation of regulations. They emphasised that while it was important to highlight the injustices and continue to fight for change, it is necessary to celebrate advocacy wins, no matter how small (or else it can seem too hopeless!).
When asked about the biggest gaps remaining, the panellists brought up the need to channel public sympathy to action, and of transforming public attention to policy change. They mentioned the persistence of issues from lack of rest days to poor living conditions, exposure to hazardous work, unsafe transportation, inadequate recreational spaces for migrant workers, and the negative impacts of these problems on migrant workers’ mental health.
The second overarching question posed to the panellists was how more people can be brought into the movement. One panellist remarked that the leap from sympathy to action is often hindered by obstacles that are political in nature. While sharing stories and educating the public on structural issues is important for awareness-raising, there are limited avenues to speak freely on these issues. Others mentioned the importance of research as a tool to raise awareness and inform both the public and policymakers, of utilising social media in engaging ways, of establishing deeper networks with other groups within the movement, and of standing our ground in adopting rights-based approaches on issues relating to migrant workers.
The event was also a chance to hear from the community—the last half of the panel saw audience members share their thoughts. We heard from volunteers and long-time supporters who echoed the sentiments of the panellists, and who similarly hoped for structural changes in the upcoming decade. One migrant domestic worker spoke about how their jobs may be put in jeopardy when they speak up about their living and working conditions, despite having worked in Singapore for many years: “If we step forward to share our voice, can we have any assurance or a little bit of protection for these migrant workers?”
Another important theme raised was the interconnectedness of issues affecting migrant workers and our community—a panellist reminded us that adopting a single-issue mindset will not be effective in driving long-term change (and that we should stop pitting one disadvantaged group against another). Another panellist highlighted, in their concluding remarks, the importance of coalition building in the years ahead, which should involve a wider range of interest groups. There was broad agreement by fellow panellists and audience members about this need to continue strengthening solidarity, and deepening a shared commitment to advancing the human rights of migrant workers.
As with any HOME event, dancing was mandatory! The brilliant dancers from Freestylists, a HOME community dance troupe, got things grooving and rounded off the panel discussion on a hopeful note.
It was then time to catch-up and mingle over refreshments! There was even a surprise birthday cake, which led to a joyful burst of birthday singing. Thank you to everyone who made the time to participate in this milestone on a Sunday afternoon!
