People typically have two types of reactions when they find out that migrant workers are shifting into the neighbourhood.

One, a warm welcome because that’s the least you can do for people who’ve helped build your homes and schools.

Or two, desperately hoping it was all a dream; and if it’s not, making enough noise so the powers-that-be can take back their decision.

Here are a few examples:

If you belong to the latter group, the following article you’re going to read might just change your mind.

Migrant Workers Housed in New Location Decided to Volunteer & Trim Grass Around HDB Blocks

Because of the Circuit Breaker, a lot of town councils found themselves lacking the manpower to do the work needed around the estate, such as trimming the overgrown grass.

After all, most workers are stuck in their dormitories and not allowed to come out to work.

On Sunday, 19 Jul 2020, about 10 residents decided to roll up their sleeves and get to work, trimming the overgrown grass around HDB blocks at Toh Yi.

These residents are foreign workers who are temporarily put up at the former Ngee Ann Polytechnic staff apartments at 90, 92 and 94 Kismis Avenue.

They managed to cover about 1.5 hectares worth of grass on that day.

Why Did They Do It?

The answer is simple yet heartwarming: they wanted to give back to the residents in the area.

One of the migrant workers, 32-year-old Natesan Muniaiah, who stays at Blk 92, said they are “very happy to do this” as “they are staying in the area”.

Back in May 2020, about 1,030 migrant workers were moved to the apartments.

Then, the residents prepared care packs for the workers and continued to supply them with food and other supplies.

Even when the workers were hard at work cutting the grass on 19 Jul, a resident was seen coming out with water and chilled drinks for the workers.

A resident had said that she was glad that the workers are helping to trim the overgrown grass as they could hold water and breed dengue mosquitoes.

Dengue In S’pore

On 30 Jun, it was reported that the number of dengue cases reported in Singapore this year has already surpassed what was reported last year.