SINGAPORE: More than 3,000 migrant workers took a breather for some fun on Sunday (May 15) at a day-long May Day celebration organised by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC).

The celebration took place at the new Terusan Recreation Centre (TRC) in Jurong, which was officially launched by Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck in the evening. MWC said the celebration was a way of showing gratitude and solidarity with the migrant workers, who have contributed to the development of Singapore.

Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck at an appreciation dinner for migrant workers. (Photo: NTUC)

Mr Teo said the TRC and the appreciation dinner are all part of efforts to make migrant workers feel welcomed.

“We want to make sure that they can integrate to our society well and also give them a living environment that they can feel at home in even if they’re not – and so it feel like it’s a second home to them,” he said.

MWC chairman Yeo Guat Kwang added: “92 per cent of them actually say that they would love to continue working here and they’d like to also introduce their friends to work here.

“It’s important for us to actually recognise that we don’t have enough manpower and we need these foreign manpower to complement our economic development. So it’s important for us to create a working environment that’s harmonised and inclusive so that everyone will come together.”

Some highlights of the event included a seven-a-side football match between teams consisting locals and migrants, a carnival and an appreciation dinner for the migrant workers. About 100 local volunteers – the majority of which were students and youth – served bento dinners to the workers and interacted with them over the meal.

Mr Teo Ser Luck helps distribute bento dinners to migrant workers at the launch of the Terusan Recreation Centre. (Photo: NTUC)

About 750 hand-made ‘Thank You’ cards by local primary and secondary students were also handed out to the migrant workers as a way of expressing appreciation for their contributions to Singapore.