When one pictures migrant workers, one would typically envisage foreign men in safety vests and helmets or foreign ladies toiling away doing chores in a household. Though the typecasting holds some truth to it, it’s also important to remember that they too enjoy an active lifestyle in the company of others just like them.
Last Sunday, social activist and Geylang Adventures founder Cai Yinzhou posted on Facebook about Bangladeshi Friends (BDF), a leisure volleyball group that’s also a support group for its members that comprise both male and female migrant workers. BDF isn’t the only sports team made up of migrant workers though — Cai revealed that the group is part of a larger network of similar sports teams.
Their tight-knit bond expands beyond just playing volleyball together though. Cai noted how the support system they’ve built is a self-sustaining one, with members helping each other out however they can during difficult times.
“One of them recently approached me after not receiving (a) salary for a long period of time,” wrote Cai. “While the company is now under investigation by MOM, his needs in the interim period has been fully met with the support of his friends, offering housing in their dorms at subsidized rates and supporting him financially. A little bit from everyone, just like friends normally respond.”
The ecosystem they’ve created, however, is a result of how the Singaporean society treats migrant workers. “The dreams of a better future do not easily include being socially accepted as a Singaporean,” Cai astutely pointed out.
The activist also pointed out that BDF — unlike Singaporeans or other high-wage migrant workers — will “never be able to get access to volleyball courts, afford proper sports equipment or find it easy to be included in the local sports fraternity or competitions”. And yet, these migrant sports teams thrive by pooling money to organize their own competitions, print jerseys and make trophies.
Cai invited folks interested in finding out more about the community to a tournament they’re holding this Sunday near Kallang MRT, where over 16 migrant teams are competing.
