Today, March 4th 2006

Migrant workers take centrestage
Weekend March 4, 2006
What: Migrant Voices CD Launch
When: Saturday and Sunday, 7.30pm
Where: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre

Few of the people who come to Singapore to take jobs as maids and construction workers could imagine it might lead to fame and fortune. But for the workers who appear on Migrant Voices, a charity album that is a showcase for their musical talents, that dream is a step closer to reality.

Consisting of twenty tracks performed by migrant workers from India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the album will be launched this weekend at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre with performances by the featured bands on Sunday. Singapore bands will perform at the same venue on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of the charity album, priced at $12, will be donated to migrant workers' shelters in Singapore. The songs range from traditional Indonesian and classical Indian compositions to Filipino pop and Thai folk rock."The idea for the album came from a group of independent volunteers," said Sha Najak, the project organiser. "Through interaction with a few workers' welfare organisations, we got to know of these bands and we thought it would be great if we could highlight their musical efforts and showcase their talents."

For Siti Nurjanah, lead singer of the Indonesian band Darul Arqam: "It was a dream come true to be able to record songs on a CD."The 36-year-old maid, who rehearsed and recorded the songs with her band on Sundays, also voiced gratitude for her employer's support. " Not all my friends are as lucky as me to be able to get a day off on Sundays," she said.

Patrick Chng, chairman of Music for Good, a non-profit organisation that benefits disadvantaged youth, spent two months working with the bands in the recording studio after being approached with the idea of putting together the CD."It's a worthy cause," he said.

"These migrant workers take on jobs that Singaporeans are unwilling to do."

"They are looked upon as unskilled and of lower standing but in reality, they are like you and me. They have hopes and dreams and, of course, talent."

Amelynn Liong