Collection: Helping Hands

Since the 19th century, immigration has been the main impetus to demographic growth in Singapore, and has been closely linked to economic development. About 40% of Singapore’s population is foreign. The geographical proximity of Singapore, higher salaries and potential support networks through established migrant worker communities, are all factors making Singapore such an attractive destination for workers from neighboring countries. A large portion of these migrant workers are ‘helpers’ which provide domestic assistance to families while living in their homes. On average, one in every five families in Singapore has a ‘helper.’ Most workers save the majority of their earnings to send home to their families.