By Cara Ng, part of Weevo Social Campaigns Team
For Anathan, a driver who has worked in Singapore for 6 years now, Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) is his “second insurance”.
The decision to come to Singapore alone for work is not an easy one. Leaving behind his wife and two children, coupled with a limited understanding of English, working here means he had to learn everything from scratch in a foreign environment.
Thankfully, he found a support system – the MWC community.
Image credits to Anathan
When Anathan struggled to read text messages, he would call manager Kavita, who would translate them into his native language.
He shared that he appreciates how the MWC officers are friendly to anyone and everyone, regardless of rank or job, whether they are migrant workers or locals.
On festive occasions, MWC provides necessities through distributing goodie bags. From snacks to daily necessities like toothpaste and water bottles, these bags give workers something to look forward to. “Very good things come in,” said Anathan as he expressed his satisfaction with the welfare.
This year is Anathan’s 6th year in Singapore, and 5th year as an Ambassador with MWC.
Anathan is also a member of MWC’s Membership programme, receiving additional benefits such as protection against non-work related accidents. At an affordable rate of $6 a year, the insurance scheme that MWC offers is crucial as a safety net. Many workers here are the sole breadwinners of their families, and being rendered unable to work would heavily impact their loved ones back home.
Hoping to help other migrant workers like him, he takes the support he received in his early days here and pays it forward.
Image credits to Anathan
He volunteers on his off days, supporting welfare events that benefit the migrant worker community. “Meeting people makes me happy,” Anathan shared how his life has become more meaningful ever since he found MWC.
Join MWC as an Ambassador and help other migrant workers in the community! Click here to find out more.