Four important life lessons that I learned from the migrant workers | Raj Singh | TEDxNTU

Hidden behind the paradise comprising of tall skyscrapers and glamorous economy, there exist migrant workers who face grim realities in Singapore. In this personal and heartfelt talk, Raj Singh gives us a glimpse into the day of a life of these workers and shares the four important life lessons that he has learned from them. Raj's challenge for us: “Can we start treating these workers as fellow human beings?"

Raj Singh has 20 years of experience in Human Performance and Organisational Behaviour. He brings hands-on experience in Operations Management, Business Transformation, Management Consultancy and Safety. Through his work with major oil companies over the last 20 years, Raj has interacted with and trained thousands of foreign workers. Today, he wants to convey the hardship and humiliation that these workers have to endure to build a better life for Singaporeans while hoping for a better future for their own families back home.

[wangtiangtan]

Foreign workers always give up seats to me in MRT trains when I was pregnant. They made up 8 out of 10 people who bothered to give up seats to me in my 3 pregnancies.

[nathalierachelfernandez]

1. Resilience
2. Frugality
3. Sacrifice
4. Empathy

[compassion]

Well said brother...i am third generation Indian born in Singapore...i never look down on foreign workers...my mom got small food shop...where she give food to those got no money...we treat them like our family....70% of Singapore infrastructure build by Indian workers...thanks to them...

[ajmersingh]

I’m working in Singapore 11 year some Singaporen very good people very friendly god bless u all 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬 love you

[mohammadshuvo]

Today, after six years in Singapore, I heard all the true words and heart touching words of Singapore and I could not hold back the tears in my eyes. I just cried. Thank you very much sir for listening to your words. The pain that I have endured now seems to be nothing more. I got a lot of peace after listening to your words. Thank you again. On behalf of all the migrant workers, sir, you will always be very good, sir.

[catherinepeter]

Your talk touched, moved and inspired me. You are the voice of the voiceless. I feel the same way too but unfortunately not gutsy enough to verbalize it. You are such an angel and a great sweet man.

[elelyon]

Brilliant speech indeed a true human being! Someone who is very compassionate have been through a lot in life it seems. He’s the kind of leaders we need in Singapore parliament. God bless you and all you do! Very proud of you Sir, someone speaking up for them. This should be on TV during school assembly. They should be broadcast

[TheRng]

Mr. Raj ... Thank you for having the courage to be the Voice for these migrant workers in Singapore, at the same time this are also the untold story for mamy many more uncounted populations of migrant workers who are all over around in this world . Hope your Ted talk will bring out the awareness of people from all over the world and treat these people like a Human being . May God bless these migrant workers & their family .

[zolaedwards]

The sentence that really hit me was “ if you don’t have compassion, how can you have passion?”

[SirKaizen]

I always tell these foreign workers that I as a Singaporean man I admire them for having the guts to get out of their home country far far away to a foreign country, out of their comfort zone and sacrifice themselves for their families. I really want to cry after listening to Raj Singh speech....and I don't cry often

[jeanettekoh]

Such clarity of speech, unfettered thoughts from a kindred mind with a selfless spirit for another.

[ronehossain]

Thank you so much for sharing the biographies of the migrant workers
We are eternally grateful to the people of Singapore and the Government of Singapore

[eddiensw]

Thank you Sir for speaking up for them..when they are voiceless...

[rdwan]

Thank you - this is very poignant and powerful especially in light of what is happening and how the migrant workers are suffering now - as a result of the living conditions they are provided.

[mithunraj]

Makes a lot of sense in the current situation we are
How we treat them shows our real character and who we really are....

[ainonismail]

Thank you for describing the life of a foreign worker in Singapore. Food for thought indeed!

[susilaganesan]

Very well said. Without them we won't have all our roads, buildings etc. A great reminder to us.

[dennistan]

Compelling, inspiring thank you Mr. Raj for these seeds of thought . God bless

[wymanspace]

Thank you, a good reminder of the foreign workers are also humans and have made lots of sacrifices to come and help build our little city ... shame on those who are constantly complaining and their only concern is that these group of workers are increasing the numbers of Covid19 statistic.

[greenworld]

Thank you Sir Mr Raj Singh and all the local citizens of Singapore. We are proud of the support you have given us. We always wish you the best.