~ This year’s award builds on the Outstanding Employees’ Awards launched in 2025 ~
The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) today conferred the Outstanding Employees’ Awards on 10 migrant workers from the marine sector at its annual National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) May Day Migrant Workers’ Celebrations, held at the MWC Recreation Club @ Soon Lee. Now in its second year, the awards recognise individuals across diverse sectors for their contributions to workplace safety, strong teamwork and professionalism in their respective roles. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Desmond Tan.
For this year’s Outstanding Employees’ Awards, which focused on the marine sector, workers were nominated and referred by NTUC’s affiliated union, the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union (SMEEU) and its partners from the marine ecosystem.
NTUC DSG Desmond Tan said, “Workplace safety and teamwork depend on the daily efforts of our migrant workers on the ground. Today’s awardees are strong role models who uphold professionalism and safety and look out for one another every day. Their contributions help to keep operations running safely and smoothly, and they are truly deserving of this recognition. Beyond celebrating their achievements, NTUC and MWC will continue to support Singapore’s migrant workers in their well-being and development.”
Among the award recipients was Gain Tomas Anna, First Aid Centre In-charge and Assistant Supervisor in the Safety Department of Hanwha Offshore Engineering Services Singapore, who was recognised for his strong commitment to workplace safety and worker welfare. He provides prompt assistance during medical emergencies, supports evacuations and fire drills, ensures first-aid readiness on site. In addition to his contributions at work, he actively promotes safety awareness and mental well-being as an MWC Ambassador.
Also recognised was Norhanif Bin Azizan, Assembly, Maintenance and Overhaul (AMO) Technician at Baker Hughes, for his exceptional dedication and nearly nine years of service. He consistently goes beyond his core duties, demonstrating strong ownership and teamwork, while contributing to quality control and upholding high safety standards on site.
Several other recipients were also recognised for their contributions to team cohesion and their willingness to support colleagues during demanding operational conditions, reflecting the professionalism and resilience of workers in the marine sector. Each award recipient received a commemorative plaque in recognition of their contributions. Please refer to Annex A for the full list of awardees.
New Partnership to Strengthen Digital Literacy for Migrant Workers
At the celebrations, MWC also announced a new partnership with the India Institutes of Technology Alumni Association (Singapore) (IITAAS) to deliver digital literacy and training programmes for migrant workers. The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between MWC Director Michael Lim and IITAAS President Dhruv Jain, and was witnessed by GOH NTUC DSG Desmond Tan.
Through the partnership, close to 1,000 migrant workers will have access to training programmes focused on foundational digital literacy, workplace applications, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). The programmes will be conducted twice a month at the MWC Recreation Club @ Soon Lee over a two-year partnership, with the first run commencing in August this year.
MWC Director Michael Lim said, “This partnership with IITAAS reflects MWC’s continued efforts to support migrant workers beyond their immediate workplace needs. As digital tools become more widely used in both work and daily life, it is important that workers are equipped with the confidence and skills to navigate these changes. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide accessible and practical training that supports their safety, communication and overall well-being.”
President of IITAAS Dhruv Jain said, “IITAAS is honoured to partner MWC in this effort to uplift migrant workers through digital literacy and practical technology skills. As technology continues to evolve and reshape every industry, no community should be left behind. Our alumni network brings deep expertise in engineering and digital transformation, and we believe strongly in contributing back to both Singapore and India through meaningful, inclusive initiatives. This partnership reflects our belief that technology must empower, not exclude. By equipping migrant workers with practical digital skills and confidence in emerging tools, we aim to strengthen their safety, productivity and well-being, while supporting Singapore’s vision of collective, future-ready growth.”
MWC’s Continued Support for Migrant Workers
Over the past year, MWC has provided timely and holistic support to more than 10,000 migrant workers:
These efforts underscore MWC’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the well-being, dignity, and livelihoods of migrant workers who contribute significantly to Singapore’s economy.
Event Highlights
The celebration brought together over 10,000 attendees at the MWC Recreation Club @ Soon Lee and was livestreamed to Migrant Workers’ Recreation Centres (MWRCs) at Penjuru, Terusan and Tuas South, reaching an estimated 24,000 migrant workers across the satellite locations.
The event also featured the finals of the street soccer, cricket and sepak takraw tournaments, partner and non-governmental organisation (NGO) booths, distribution of care packs and meal vouchers, a concert which included live performances by international artistes VM Mahalingam and Belly Afroz, and a lucky draw.
