Pope Francis Urges Fair Wages For Migrant Workers In Singapore

Pope Francis has urged political leaders in Singapore, a leading global financial hub, to seek fair wages for the country's million-plus lower-paid foreign workers, Joshua McElwee, Xinghui Kok, and Zahra Matarani reported for Reuters.

The 87-year-old pontiff expressed concern for Singapore's aging population and its migrant workforce, particularly in the construction and domestic service industries. I Photo: Long Thiên Wikimedia Commons

In what was likely the final major speech of an ambitious 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, the 87-year-old pontiff expressed concern for Singapore's aging population and its migrant workforce, particularly in the construction and domestic service industries.

“I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly, as well as to protecting the dignity of migrant workers,” said the pope, addressing around 1,000 political, civil, and religious leaders.

"These workers contribute significantly to society and should be guaranteed fair wages," he emphasized.

As of December 2023, Singapore had 1.1 million foreigners on work permits earning less than S$3,000 ($2,300) per month, including 286,300 domestic workers and 441,100 workers in the construction, shipyard, and process sectors, according to government data.

Many of these workers hail from nearby countries such as Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, and India, with others coming from the Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country.

The Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), a Singapore-based NGO supporting migrant workers, welcomed the pope’s comments, stating they were in "full agreement" with his call for fair wages.