Singapore’s Center for Domestic Employees (CDE) is set to introduce Chinese dialect courses such as Hokkien and Cantonese next year for migrant domestic workers. Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang announced the initiative on Sunday during an event marking the upcoming International Migrants Day.
This initiative aims to help domestic workers communicate more effectively with their employers, many of whom are elderly residents who primarily speak Chinese dialects. “The introduction of dialect lessons will foster trust and long-lasting relationships,” Gan said in her address.
In addition to language courses, the CDE, a non-governmental organization established by the National Trades Union Congress, will partner with the Healthcare Academy to offer advanced caregiving training. These courses will include dementia care and infant care, equipping domestic workers with specialized skills to better serve their employers’ needs.
According to Singapore’s latest population census published in 2021, 8.7% of residents aged five and older speak Chinese dialects most frequently at home. Among residents aged 55 and above, 21.9% use Chinese dialects as their primary language, with 33% of this group not speaking a second language. This language gap highlights the importance of dialect proficiency for effective communication in many households.
To further support migrant workers, the CDE will provide free counseling services and mental health workshops in partnership with Silver Ribbon (Singapore), a non-profit organization focused on combating mental health stigma and promoting early intervention. Employers will also have access to free workshops to help them better support their domestic workers.
As of June 2024, there are over 294,900 migrant domestic workers in Singapore, making up 19% of the city-state’s total foreign workforce, according to the Ministry of Manpower. This significant workforce plays a crucial role in Singaporean households, and initiatives like these aim to enhance their integration and well-being.
Reference(s):
Singapore to offer Chinese dialect classes for migrant workers
cgtn.com
