Teaching on Importance of Racial and Religious Harmony in Singapore in Integration Programmes for Foreign Workers

Mr Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether an update can be provided on the integration programmes and the briefings conducted for foreign workers of all nationalities to ensure that they are apprised of the importance of racial and religious harmony in Singapore before their employment; and (b) whether more steps will be taken to educate foreign workers living in dormitories on racial harmony and in the language that they understand best after the incident of a Bangladeshi preacher who illegally preached at a dormitory on 9 August 2024.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires migrant workers in key sectors to attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) upon arrival in Singapore. Conducted in their native languages, the programme introduces migrant workers to Singapore’s laws and social norms, including the importance of living and working harmoniously with people of different races and religions.

Beyond the SIP, a whole-of-society effort is essential to facilitate the successful assimilation of migrant workers to live and work in Singapore. MOM works closely with various stakeholders such as non-governmental organisations, employers, dormitory operators, community partners and migrant worker volunteers to share the importance of racial and religious harmony in Singapore with migrant workers. These initiatives include social media outreach, dormitory orientation programme for new workers and festive celebrations in dormitories and recreation centres. For example, in July, MOM co-organised a Racial Harmony Day celebration for over 1,200 migrant workers with the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach, a movement under Hope Initiative Alliance, to promote understanding of different cultures, races and religions.

The annual International Migrant Day celebration is also a key engagement platform to showcase the diversity of nationalities and cultures of the migrant workers in Singapore, which will also engender greater understanding and acceptance by the community.

Employers and dormitory operators also play important roles in ensuring religious and racial harmony at both the workplaces and dormitories. MOM will continue to work with them and other partners to promote social cohesion and religious harmony amongst our migrant workers.