A Singapore Skyline View for Migrant Workers
2021-04-04
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1The Ferris wheel in Singapore was getting hit with raindrops.
2But the migrant workers riding the Singapore Flyer did not seem to mind.
3They were trying to see the city skyline from above.
4They were just a small number of at least 20,000 workers getting a free ride as a gift from members of the public and businesses.
5The program ItsRainingRaincoats began a few years ago to help spread kindness to Singapore's migrant workers.
6In January, it began calling for ride tickets to be donated to the workers.
7Dipa Swaminathan is the group's founder.
8She said a volunteer saw the rides as a meaningful way to use tourism money provided by the government.
9Singapore citizens ages 18 and older have received about $74 each in tourism money.
10They must spend it on attractions, hotels and tours - all businesses that have lost money during the coronavirus pandemic.
11Swaminathan's group worked with the Ferris wheel operator and a booking website to get tickets for the foreign workers.
12A lot of people see that the workers have given so much to Singapore "and this is their chance to give back," Swaminathan said.
13"There's a lot of joy in giving. I think that's what causes the public...to support us" in these kinds of actions, she told The Associated Press.
14The group will keep organizing rides as long as tickets come in.
15A ticket, which includes entrance to an interactive space, costs about $26.
16There are currently enough tickets for 20,000 workers.
17That is two percent of the 700,000 to 800,000 people who live in Singapore, Swaminathan estimates.
18She said the "contained" nature of the Ferris wheel makes it a good fit.
19Volunteers reminded the riders to keep their facial coverings on and keep a one-meter distance during a recent visit.
20Ganesan Thivagar recently visited with a few other migrant workers.
21They waited while rides were briefly stopped for bad weather.
22When it was time to go on, the 165-meter-high wheel did not offer such great views.
23But that did not affect the 34-year-old.
24He was paying attention to the areas he could see.
25And he was struck by how much Singapore had changed since he arrived 14 years ago.
26He quickly began taking pictures for his family, who live in India's Tamil Nadu state.
27"I am happy to enjoy the trip and enjoy together with my friends. Thanks to Singapore, (I get to) come here," Thivagar said.
28Workers like Thivagar have had a hard time.
29Their small living spaces had high coronavirus infection rates early during the pandemic.
30Migrant workers have made up most of Singapore's 60,000 reported cases.
31Last year, the high infection rates brought sudden attention to their situation - crowded living conditions, low wages and lack of healthcare.
32Although the infection situation is under control, these workers have had more restrictions on movement than the general population.
33The rules are being eased by officials.
34Natarajan Pandiarajan, who is 29, said the restrictions were "really difficult."
35He was thankful for a break like his recent ride on the Ferris wheel.
36"Inside many feelings I also have. But this time now, coming on, happiness," he said.
37I'm Alice Bryant.
1The Ferris wheel in Singapore was getting hit with raindrops. 2But the migrant workers riding the Singapore Flyer did not seem to mind. They were trying to see the city skyline from above. 3They were just a small number of at least 20,000 workers getting a free ride as a gift from members of the public and businesses. 4The program ItsRainingRaincoats began a few years ago to help spread kindness to Singapore's migrant workers. In January, it began calling for ride tickets to be donated to the workers. 5Dipa Swaminathan is the group's founder. She said a volunteer saw the rides as a meaningful way to use tourism money provided by the government. 6Singapore citizens ages 18 and older have received about $74 each in tourism money. They must spend it on attractions, hotels and tours - all businesses that have lost money during the coronavirus pandemic. 7Swaminathan's group worked with the Ferris wheel operator and a booking website to get tickets for the foreign workers. A lot of people see that the workers have given so much to Singapore "and this is their chance to give back," Swaminathan said. 8"There's a lot of joy in giving. I think that's what causes the public...to support us" in these kinds of actions, she told The Associated Press. 9The group will keep organizing rides as long as tickets come in. 10A ticket, which includes entrance to an interactive space, costs about $26. There are currently enough tickets for 20,000 workers. 11That is two percent of the 700,000 to 800,000 people who live in Singapore, Swaminathan estimates. 12She said the "contained" nature of the Ferris wheel makes it a good fit. 13Volunteers reminded the riders to keep their facial coverings on and keep a one-meter distance during a recent visit. 14Ganesan Thivagar recently visited with a few other migrant workers. 15They waited while rides were briefly stopped for bad weather. When it was time to go on, the 165-meter-high wheel did not offer such great views. 16But that did not affect the 34-year-old. He was paying attention to the areas he could see. And he was struck by how much Singapore had changed since he arrived 14 years ago. 17He quickly began taking pictures for his family, who live in India's Tamil Nadu state. 18"I am happy to enjoy the trip and enjoy together with my friends. Thanks to Singapore, (I get to) come here," Thivagar said. 19Workers like Thivagar have had a hard time. Their small living spaces had high coronavirus infection rates early during the pandemic. 20Migrant workers have made up most of Singapore's 60,000 reported cases. Last year, the high infection rates brought sudden attention to their situation - crowded living conditions, low wages and lack of healthcare. 21Although the infection situation is under control, these workers have had more restrictions on movement than the general population. The rules are being eased by officials. 22Natarajan Pandiarajan, who is 29, said the restrictions were "really difficult." He was thankful for a break like his recent ride on the Ferris wheel. "Inside many feelings I also have. But this time now, coming on, happiness," he said. 23I'm Alice Bryant. 24The Associated Press reported the story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. 25________________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27Ferris wheel - n. a very large upright wheel that has seats around its edge where people sit while the wheel turns 28ticket - n. a piece of paper or electronic document that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, or do something else 29tourism - n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure 30attraction - n. something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do 31joy - n. a feeling of great happiness 32view - n. the things that can be seen from a particular place