Pope Francis, on the final leg of his Asia-Pacific tour, visited Singapore on Thursday and called for fair wages for migrant workers. Addressing local authorities, civil groups, and dignitaries, the 87-year-old pope emphasized the need to “protect the dignity of migrant workers,” highlighting their significant contributions to society and advocating for guaranteed fair wages.
The International Labour Organization estimates that there are about 170 million migrant workers globally, representing roughly five percent of the global workforce. These workers are predominantly found in Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, though cheap labor has fueled the rapid development of cities like Dubai, Doha, and Singapore.
Singapore hosts approximately 300,000 low-wage migrant workers. Advocacy groups argue that these workers often face inadequate protection and poor living conditions, though the government disputes these claims. The issue became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic when many migrant workers were confined to dormitories under strict lockdowns.
While the pope did not directly address the situation of migrant workers in Singapore, his remarks are expected to cause some discomfort for the government. The majority of migrant workers in Singapore come from South Asia and the Philippines, the latter having a significant Catholic population.
Despite his focus on migrant workers, Pope Francis praised Singapore for its remarkable development, describing the city-state’s skyline as a testament to human ingenuity and dynamism. He commended the nation’s harmonious coexistence of various ethnicities, cultures, and religions, encouraging continued efforts towards unity, fraternity, and the common good.