• Other

    ‘Public nuisance’ or well-deserved break? Foreign workers’ dance party divides netizens

    AnyFans Posted on

    By Ethel Tseng

    Copyright tnp

    'Public nuisance' or well-deserved break? Foreign workers' dance party divides netizens

    A spontaneous dance jam by a group of foreign workers outside Paya Lebar MRT has gone viral on TikTok, sparking both criticism and support from netizens.

    The 13-second clip, uploaded by TikTok user taufikul.islam8 on Sept 12, shows several foreign workers dancing energetically in an open space outside Paya Lebar MRT station.

    Some sat around the stone benches, while others dance freely as music blared from a speaker on the ground, accompanied by excited cheers.

    While curious passers-by glanced over at the lively scene, most walked past seemingly unbothered.

    The video has since racked up more than 338,200 views and 3,100 likes at press time.

    Migrant worker charity founder urges compassion and inclusion

    In response to queries from The New Paper, Ms Dipa Swaminathan, founder of charity ItsRainingRaincoats, said that migrant workers deserve the space to unwind.

    “Many of them earn a basic wage of $18 a day. They can’t afford to go to a fancy pub and order a drink. They probably wouldn’t even be welcome in such establishments,” she said.

    Ms Swaminathan stressed that these workers often do not have the space to relax, given tight living conditions in dormitories and the physically demanding nature of their work.

    “When they do something heroic, we’re all for celebrating them. These are the same people who are also human and would like to have a little fun once in a rare while,” she added.

    She called for a key mindset shift towards “acceptance, gratitude and compassion” for migrant workers, noting the importance of acknowledging their contributions to society and treating them with equal respect.

    Other netizens defend foreign workers’ right to relax

    Many netizens agreed, urging others to “let them be happy”.

    “Good to see these foreign workers enjoy themselves”, one wrote, while another noted that this might be their only rest day.

    Several added that the workers did not appear to be disturbing anyone.

    “They’re also human. Let them enjoy their off day,” one user remarked.

    TNP has reached out to taufikul.islam8, TWC2, and Paya Lebar Square for comment. SingPost has declined to comment.

    You Might Also Like