HERE WITH YOU

Building a community where
migrant workers thrive

Our Services

Migrants’ Helpline

Support Groups

The Migrant Accommodation Project

Our Local Volunteers say:

Volunteering with HWY has been a very enriching experience for me. I have gained a lot of insights on the plight of the migrant workers in Singapore. I do see the need for better education and awareness for migrant workers so that they understand their rights, and who they should reach out to in case of issues.

- Aditi
Migrant workers have difficulty accessing key information due to language barriers. In employment relationships, there are power imbalance and covert manpower practice norms which migrant workers find difficult to navigate.

- Madeline
To protect their mental health, they need a community that makes them feel braver and stronger here. Not just a community of fellow migrant brothers, but also one consisting of locals. They are also human beings who need entertainment, who have hobbies and passions, and who need a listening ear. Spending time with them to see their talents, to play with them, and taking time to listen to their woes are things all of us can do with migrant workers.

- Tan Ai
One of the cases I remember was a worker who was trying to go back to his home country to see his mother who was ill and he was having a hard time getting his HR to book a ticket for him. My main role was in coordinating with (the company’s ) HR on what exactly was going on and also reassuring him that we were taking steps and easing his anxiety about not being able to see his mother. The thing that struck me the most was how often migrant workers can feel helpless in situations because of the power dynamics with employers and the language barrier.

- Gayathri
Working with workers who were looking to be repatriated back to India during Covid-19 pandemic but for a variety of reasons were delayed from being able to due to QO or catching the virus itself has really left the biggest impression. Alot of these brothers were feeling very helpless and depressed and it really challenged me as a volunteer to help them feel heard and hopeful again especially when there was so much uncertainty. I used to get calls throughout the day just from a worried brother who's only source of information seem to be me. It required alot of liaising & working with other agencies like MOH etc and i really felt myself strongly advocating for our migrant brother's - something I hope to continue doing through more volunteer work.

- Vidya
Mahafuz was one of the migrant workers I helped. His determination to be understood every step of the way left a deep impression on me. Despite…having little to survive on he persisted... For the little that I did to assist, Mahahfuz was so grateful. He told me that he hoped he met people like me earlier and to date, he checks in on me. His humility, hope, kindness and patience in face of a broken system touched my heart and has stayed with me.

- Archana
I was helping a Migrant worker during the pandemic - he wanted to buy toys for his children but could not go out. I managed to buy some toys for his sons and it was the simplest thing for me but he was very grateful. I am touched that he keeps in touch and still shares snippets of his life with me.

- Carolyne
I was assisting a migrant worker who fell from a height for his tele-rehabilitation consult with physiotherapists. It was also during the COVID-19 lockdown period when workers were not allowed to venture out of their dormitories for a prolonged period of time. He was in need of a physical session ideally and in pain. We could only provide therapy through a secure online means, but to him, it was an encouraging session which gave him not just professional advice on his health but also a time for social support and engagement which he had missed dearly. It was unforgettable for me.

- Wint She Sin
Practice patience and remember that you are from a place of privilege. It would be impossible to put yourself in their shoes, but take a moment to think why their reaction could seem dramatic or over the top and try to empathise with them :)

- Malathi

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Our Migrant Volunteers say:

There was one man, his name is Rafiqul. He feel many tensions.. also, that time, he don't know what he should do properly. He cannot speak english so I explained everything to him. I explain his problem to Jevon, then Jevon help him. Sometimes, I explain to Alex, then Alex also help him.

- Limon
One day Redoy called me and said he is in trouble. His employer want to send him home but deducted money per month illegally from his salary. That was our strong point to take immediate action. Finally, MOM agree with us and Redoy transferred to a new company. That is the best achievement for me as a caseworker.

- Al Amin
When I stay Choa Chu Kang dorm, that time 4 workers talk so much about company and all angry about food because their boss never provide food. Here With You caseworkers taught me how to call MOM. Then I call MOM and explain to them and the dorm operator allowed them to go buy food and they were happy.

- Saran
“I will continue helping migrants brothers.”

- Sharif
I have helped so many people with Here With You-Migrant Helpline team. Most memorable case is the Fund Raising for Tofazzal and Kuddus Familly. Tofazzal died by lorry accident and Kuddus died by excavator accident. Without them, they don’t have any earning person in their family. We raise a fund for them and we got a great response, and finally we succeeded to help them.

-Al Amin
One worker was very sad in room. He was crying because his company asked him to go back to India. I ask him don’t cry, then I contact our Here With You team…We make one group for him and I also help to write a message to his company. Only 2 week later, we all heard good news for him and the worker now is now other company and he happy.

- Saranraj

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HERE WITH YOU

Building a community where migrant workers thrive

Our Services

Migrants’ Helpline

Support Groups

The Migrant Accommodation Project

There was one man, his name is Rafiqul. He feel many tensions.. also, that time, he don't know what he should do properly. He cannot speak english so I explained everything to him. I explain his problem to Jevon, then Jevon help him. Sometimes, I explain to Alex, then Alex also help him.

Building a community where
migrant workers thrive