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SINGAPORE – As of Sunday (January 31), the Singapore Flyer had been nothing more than a distant icon in the urban landscape of migrant worker MV Maran, viewed from his construction site in Sengkang for about a year.
“I’m used to seeing the Singapore Flyer of the Build-To-Order apartments I work in Sengkang; now I can see the apartments we work in from (above) here,” said the 30-year-old construction worker inside. of a capsule of the historic observation wheel.
He was one of 620 migrant dormitory workers who received the trip on Sunday (January 31), thanks to locals who donated tickets redeemed with their SingapoRediscover coupons.
“After getting my ticket about a week ago, I’ve been counting down to this day,” added Maran, who has worked in Singapore for the past nine years on five construction projects, including River Safari.
Some 4,307 tickets have been donated by the public and another 2,871 by an institutional donor in an initiative organized by ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR), Klook and Singapore Flyer. Tickets are $ 35 each on the Klook reservation site.
IRR, a non-profit organization that aims to spread kindness to migrant workers, said the campaign has been very popular with migrant workers. However, the tickets donated through Sunday will allow less than 1% of around one million migrant workers here to visit the Flyer.
IRR coordinated the trips with the employers and their volunteers facilitated the visit to ensure safe distancing. Each trip was limited to eight people.
After their trip, many of the workers enthusiastically shared photos of the skyline or called home.
Administrative assistant Nazrul Islam of GS Engineering and Construction Corporation, 42, added: “I think this is a very good activity. I hope more of my friends will be able to visit.”
For some of the foreign workers, this was the first time they had ventured this far from their bedrooms, as they were isolated in mid-April due to the spread of Covid-19.
An HP Construction & Engineering worker who wanted to be known as Mr. Saravanan, 39, said: “Sometimes it is very stressful to be stuck in the bedroom … We are grateful to Singaporeans, the Singaporean government and our company for this opportunity to go out and feel happy and de-stress. “
Starting October 31, eligible migrant workers can visit the recreation centers on their days off.
Government representatives welcomed the plan and urged more Singaporeans to organize such outings for workers.
State Minister for National Development Sim Ann, who spoke to some of the workers on Sunday, said: “I am very happy that so many public donors have contributed … and they think this is a very good way to show our appreciation and recognition of migrant workers. “
Mr. Tung Yui Fai, Head of the Assurance, Care and Engagement Group of the Ministry of Labor, added: “We welcome more initiatives of this type that will allow our migrant workers to spend a day outside the dormitories in a safe way And pleasant”.
The Straits Times understands that some employers have been reluctant to allow employees to visit them due to health concerns. Other companies also canceled trips to the Flyer due to project deadlines.
IRR founder Dipa Swaminathan said: “We work together with MOM and other stakeholders to ensure safe distancing measures during these trips, so we hope that employers will be more understanding and reassured by allowing their workers to participate in some of these trips that we are making great efforts to organize. “
Those interested in donating tickets using their SingapoRediscovers vouchers can do so on this website until June 30.
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