Singapore is spicing things up for migrant domestic workers by introducing Chinese dialect courses like Hokkien and Cantonese starting next year! 🎉
Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang announced this exciting initiative on Sunday during an event for the upcoming International Migrants Day. 🗓️
The goal? To help domestic workers communicate better with their employers, especially those who prefer speaking in local dialects. Talk about bridging gaps! 🤝
But wait, there's more! The Center for Domestic Employees (CDE) is teaming up with the Healthcare Academy to offer advanced caregiving training, including courses in dementia care and infant care. 🍼❤️
Fun fact: According to Singapore's 2021 population census, 8.7% of residents aged five and older speak Chinese dialects most frequently at home. Among residents aged 55 and above, a whopping 21.9% use dialects as their primary language, and 33% of them don't speak a second language. 👵👴
Gan Siow Huang believes that \"the introduction of dialect lessons will foster trust and long-lasting relationships.\" We couldn't agree more! 🌟
But it's not just about language. The CDE is also supporting migrant workers by providing free counseling services and mental health workshops in partnership with Silver Ribbon (Singapore), a non-profit organization focused on mental health. 🧠💚
And guess what? Employers get free workshops too, helping them better support their domestic workers. It's a win-win! 🙌
As of June 2024, over 294,900 migrant domestic workers call Singapore their second home, making up 19% of the city-state's total foreign workforce. That's a significant number contributing to the Lion City's vibrant community! 🦁🌆
Kudos to Singapore for taking steps to make everyone feel more at home. Here's to better communication and stronger bonds! 🎊
Reference(s):
Singapore to offer Chinese dialect classes for migrant workers
cgtn.com
