On 13 May 2021, the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO)—a movement of Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA)—distributed festive meals and gifts, such as lungis (a type of sarong) to about 2,600 guest workers from 30 factory-converted dormitories (FCDs) in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa.
This distribution was made possible in partnership with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), amidst strict regulations in response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the guest worker population. The way in which this festive distribution was done compared to others done by AGWO in the past is markedly different, featuring contactless drop-offs of food and gifts by our partners and volunteers, and timely reporting to MOM of the details of each drop-off to ensure that the required permits are granted before the drop-off can proceed.
In the lead-up to Hari Raya Puasa, AGWO also worked with its partners to deliver festive meals and gifts to 14 FCDs to bring some festive cheer to workers who are still mostly confined to their dormitories except for when they leave for work.
At one of the FCDs on 13 May 2021, AGWO partnered MUIS to arrange for a special meeting with Deputy Mufti, MUIS, Ustaz Dr Mohammad Hannan Hassan. Deputy Mufti thanked the guest workers for standing strong and united with fellow Singaporeans in the face of the pandemic. He also assured them that they are not alone in this journey, and that Singaporeans will continue to support them and treat them respectfully as our guests. Deputy Mufti then prayed for their wellbeing, safety and health, and that they remain strong and steadfast. 100 sets of festive meals and lungis were given out to the residents of the dormitory.
President of HIA, Rev Ezekiel Tan said, “We are glad to be able to partner MOM to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa with our guest worker brothers. Many are homesick and also miss gathering with their friends in Singapore owing to the pandemic measures that have been in place for more than a year. We hope that today’s gesture of care towards them brings them some much-needed cheer amidst the gloom.”
