Indigo Scales Fundrasier 2020 in support of TWC2
Our email interview with Russell Heng, Treasurer for TWC2:
1. With regards to the Covid situation, what key issues or practices are TWC2 targeting that will help to alleviate the difficulties faced by migrant workers in Singapore?
TWC2 provides the following Covid19 relief services for foreign workers:
c) SEN (Small Essential Needs) team
It’s very hard for us outside to imagine what being confined to a room with 10 – 20 other men feels like, especially when it goes on for weeks on end. We’ve had appeals for little things that in normal times, the men would be able to get for themselves by just walking out to the shops. Now however, these breadwinners for their families have to depend on charity. Other requests include simple medication like paracetamol, toiletries, laundry detergent, etc.
TWC2 has formed a Small Essential Needs team that tries to help. Our volunteers cannot go into the quarantined dorms, so we have to leave the bags at the guardhouse. From there, either the sentry guards do us a favour (thank you!) of delivering the bags to the rooms or the intended recipients pick up the bags themselves during the two hours of free time they get when they can leave their rooms.
2. What issues are likely to persist even after the Covid situation has been fully alleviated?
Once the health threat abates will come the most dreaded phase of this pandemic crisis: many migrant workers will find themselves without a job and be repatriated with very little to take home. TWC2 will want to ensure that they get a fair deal. In the longer term, Singapore has to address systemic shortcomings of unfair pay and poor living environment for its low-wage migrant worker community.
3. How do you think the average Singaporean can best contribute to improving the living conditions of migrant workers right now, and in the future?
Be friendly or at least civil when you have the chance to interact with them. If you want to be a bit more proactive, give your neighbourhood cleaner (most likely to be a migrant worker) a gift of fruits - apples, oranges, bananas, etc - now and then (or as frequently as you can). The Vitamin C is much needed. He will also appreciate that there are friendly Singaporeans who appreciate him and care.
4. What are the best ways local musicians and event organisers can contribute to helping migrant workers in Singapore right now, and in the future?
Make music that celebrates or tell their stories. Migrant workers themselves make art: play music, write poetry, do drama. Explore opportunities to work with them.
