PJ Thum speaks with Zakir Hossain Khokan, a migrant worker from Bangladesh and founder of “Migrant Writers of Singapore”, who is currently ill with COVID-19 (but recovering), and Jay and Michelle, two Singaporeans who volunteer with his organisation, about their work and other initiatives, including aid to workers in the ongoing crisis ( 2:30 ). Zakir also talks about how he’s doing with COVID-19, his own history, how he came to be in Singapore, and his experience in the past 17 years of a migrant worker ( 7:40 ). Then the group discusses the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, what their group are doing, and segues into a discussion about broader structural and systemic issues facing migrant workers in Singapore (16:03).
If you’d like to learn more:
Daily Life in Covid 19:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/693814274723293/
One Bag, One Book
https://www.facebook.com/onebagonebook/
Migrant Writers of Singapore
https://www.facebook.com/Migrant-Writers-of-Singapore-535923550127166/
New Naratif:
Myths and Facts: Migrant Workers in Singapore:
https://newnaratif.com/research/myths-and-facts-migrant-workers-in-singapore/share/cwguhz/e06f967fb0d355592be4e7674fa31d26/
A Creative Outlet for “Invisible” Hands:
https://newnaratif.com/journalism/creative-outlet-invisible-hands/
Book:
Call and Response: https://www.booksactuallyshop.com/products/call-and-response
Donations:
Collective of Migrant Efforts (COME):
https://www.giving.sg/campaigns/homeforall-migrants
