Recent Activities
Seminar at NUS
A group of NUS students from the Sociology Department worked on a project on migrant workers from August this year. They mostly worked with HOME, but we were able to supply them with helpful information and advice. The project culminated in an exhibition on 5-7th November and an interactive forum on 9th November. The panelists were Bridget Liew from HOME, John Gee from TWC2 and two workers from the HOME men’s shelter, who described their experiences in seeking redress from errant employers.
FOWS Graduation Ceremony
Filipino Overseas Workers in Singapore (FOWS) held its 15th graduation ceremony on 11th November. Some 600 certificates were presented to graduates of its Skills Development Training Program. The great majority of graduates were Filipina domestic workers, but also present were Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Myanmar, and Indian women workers, mostly domestic (plus one Peruvian!), and a handful of male Filipino workers. Some workers had completed more than one course and went up on stage to receive certificates twice or, in a couple of cases, three times.
Speakers during the presentations included Philippines ambassador, Belen F. Anota and three graduates, Indian, Indonesian and Filipina. TWC2 president, John Gee, was present throughout the day and took part in presenting some of the awards.
The training courses are made possible by the dedication of FOWS’ volunteers, who are mostly Filipino professionals currently working in Singapore. The success of this programme is due in no small measure to the hard work of FOWS STP president, Encarnacion Montales and those who have worked along side her over the past 15 years.
Waterloo Bazaar
On the last Saturday of each month, there’s a bazaar at the premises of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO). We booked a stall there on 24th November where we displayed second hand books, ‘Dignity Overdue’, and T-shirts and gave out leaflets advertising the IMD futsal tournament. We made sales of $156. Thanks Katrina, Venness, Sha and JD for the work you put into this!
‘Because I’m a Maid’ T-shirts: Over Half Sold in Nine Weeks
We took delivery of 240 T-shirts from Catapult Advertising on September 22nd, and needed to sell 123 to cover their cost: the rest of our sales will contribute to TWC2’s fund-raising efforts. As of 26th November, we’d sold 144.
ExCo members gave sales a strong start by taking samples away and marketing them to friends and acquaintances, and we’ve also benefited from a couple of orders from supportive organisations and individuals. Otherwise, sales have largely been from TWC2 stands at events such as the ASEAN Civil Society Conference at the beginning of the month and the Waterloo Bazaar on 24th November.
Letters
Dear John,
APPRECIATION AND THANKS
I would like to thank you and the members of TWC2 for the $500 towards Mohidul Nabi Suddin's operation.
As you may already know, Mohidul was beaten up rather badly by a gang at Geylang and the investigations are still on going. Hopefully, there will be a resolution to the case.
The day operation that you sponsored was to remove a bridge from his jaw which was inserted during the emergency operation when he was first admitted. We expect him to be fully recovered in a few months time.
Mohidul is one of more workers to come who will require medical attention. The excess funds that we collected have been set aside for such cases in the future.
Once again, thank you for your support.
Best regards,
Jolovan Wham
Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)
