The Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) celebrated Deepavali with migrant workers by teaming up with community partners – distributing 170,000 packs of specially made festive treats to migrant workers across 144 dormitories.
In total, over 1,000 volunteers participated in the initiative, MOM said in a press statement.
Organised by the ACE Group, the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) and the Coordinating Council of Sikh Institutions (CCSI), the initiative aims to spread festive cheer to the migrant workers.
The treats were contributed by HEB, CCSI, various Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurudwaras, NPS International School and the ACE Group. ACE Group also worked with grassroots and non-governmental organisations – such as Crisis Relief Alliance, Hope Initiative Alliance, Covid-19 Migrant Support Coalition, Covenant Evangelical Free Church and Itsrainingraincoats – to distribute the festive goodies to the workers.
In view of the current COVID-19 restrictions, many temples have started live-streaming their prayers online
ForDeepavali this year, the ACE Group worked with HEB to pre-record religious prayers and greetings by the Chief Priests of the temples which were shared with migrant workers through social media.
Migrant Workers’ Centre and Singtel have also co-organised a special Deepavali digital show for migrant workers on November 15. Workers also participated in interactive games and quizzes to win attractive prizes.
“Hindu Temples across Singapore and Sikh organisations have banded together to do something meaningful for our friends from the migrant worker community," said R Jayachandran, Chairman of HEB.
"They are here away from their families and loved ones during this festive period and we hope that our small gesture will brighten up their day. We look forward to more such collaborations with community and government agencies.”
Tung Yui Fai, Chief of the ACE Group, added, “This is the first year since the inception of the ACE Group that we are organising this initiative with multiple stakeholders. We are heartened to see many stepping forward to celebrate the occasion with our migrant workers. We look forward to more of such collaborations in future."