everything about the impact of covid-19 on migrant workers is heartbreaking. what's even more heartbreaking is that it took a pandemic for so many of us to feel heartbroken about the invisibility of migrant workers in Singapore. (a thread)
#circuitbreakersg #migrantworkers
#circuitbreakersg #migrantworkers
it's a national failure - and by that, im referring not just to the government, but the role that all of us have played in the dehumanisation and exploitation of migrant workers over the years.
sure, some of us might insist that we may not have knowingly done anything wrong. why should we feel guilty for being ignorant?
but has the treatment and living conditions of migrant workers ever dominated our conversations over lunch at work?has it ever warranted enough attention to be a major political issue on its own?has it ever been something we've held ourselves, and our government, accountable for?
ignorance is a privilege.
im sitting here,comfortable,alone,in my air-conditioned room, with a nice cup of hot tea,in a home built by migrant workers, relatively safer compared to the
thousands and thousands of migrant workers who can't do anything about social distancing because their living conditions don't allow it
- my privilege is *still* my shield and im so sorry and guilty and hope that every one of them makes it out alive.
but thoughts and prayers aren't enough.
this fundraiser (give.asia/campaign/preet…) is a way for us to tangibly give back to migrant workers. there are several other links to other community organised relief efforts there that you can check out.
donations aside, it's also important for us to recognise, acknowledge and check our privilege. we need to educate ourselves and our children so that this doesnt happen again.
we have to be better. we have not just say we're going to be better and forget all this if/when covid-19 leaves our shores. we have to *actually* be better.
it's *already* too late.
it's *already* too late.
