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Joint MOM-NTUC Press Release - Over 97,000 Migrant Workers and Domestic Workers participate in International Migrants Day Celebrations

Foreign manpower

Over 97,000 migrant workers and migrant domestic workers participated in this year's International Migrants Day (IMD) celebrations organised by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and 200 partners[1] across Singapore.

2 The month-long celebrations saw over 10,000 attendees at the main event at D'Marquee, Downtown East, with another 40,000 migrant workers enjoying festivities at six Recreation Centres[2] island-wide. More than 100 dormitory operators and employers also organised appreciation activities for over 47,000 migrant workers, including food distribution, movie screenings, and outings to attractions such as the Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise.

3 "This year's IMD celebrations hold special meaning as Singapore marks SG60. It is a timely reminder for us to recognise and appreciate the contributions of our migrant community and the important role they play in Singapore’s development and success. By anchoring our celebrations around culture, we create more opportunities for meaningful interactions and deepen the mutual respect that underpins a cohesive and inclusive Singapore," said Mr Martin Koh, Deputy Chief, ACE Group and Chairman, Organising Committee for the 2025 IMD Celebrations.

Culture as a bridge between communities

4 In line with this year's theme of culture, the celebrations highlighted how art, food and music serve as meaningful bridges connecting individuals across different backgrounds and traditions. The main event at D'Marquee featured cultural performances, traditional arts and crafts, and interactive activities designed to encourage meaningful interactions between Singaporeans and the migrant community.

5 MOM's Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group organised the celebrations together with Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) and Centre for Domestic Employees, supported by other non-governmental organisations, corporates, foreign embassies and grassroots organisations. New partners this year included the Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association Singapore, alongside returning partners such as Millennia Institute, The Bright Flipside and Bedok Grassroots Organisations.

6 At the Recreation Centres, migrant workers enjoyed concerts, carnival activities and explored educational booths. MWC, NTUC Club and NGO partners supported the events, which included the distribution of goodie bags and free meals.

Strengthening volunteer support for migrant workers

7 Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, who was Guest of Honour at the main event, also announced the merger of two major migrant worker volunteer networks — the Friends of ACE (FACE) network and Migrant Worker Ambassadors[3] —into a unified programme. Currently, the two volunteer networks have about 2,000 active volunteers.

8 "Migrant workers play important roles not just in supporting Singapore, but also one another," said Dr Tan. Selected volunteers will have opportunities to serve as "Star Ambassadors" and take on leadership roles within the migrant community, leveraging the strengths of both networks to provide more effective support and engagement.

 

FOOTNOTE

  1. The full listing of partners for the IMD Celebrations 2025 can be found in Annex A.
  2. The full list of recreation centres where IMD celebrations were held can be found in Annex B.
  3. A factsheet on the FACE network and Migrant Worker Ambassadors will be shared separately.