ILLUSTRATION / CO-DESIGN / SYSTEM MAPPING

NVPC Migrant Worker Colabs Series
Unpacking the Migrant Worker landscape in Singapore
B R I E F

The migrant worker population in Singapore, a large and vital segment of the national labour force, was severely impacted by COVID-19. Within the confines of the crowded living conditions, the virus spread rapidly through the dormitories where most migrant workers live. By May 2020, dormitory infections composed more than 90% of Singapore’s total confirmed cases. By December 2020, almost 50% of the dormitory population had been infected by the virus. 
The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) was actively empowering stakeholders in the migrant workers ecosystem during the Circuit Breaker. Responding to these stakeholders’ input and recognizing the complexities of migrant workers’ issues, the pandemic presented a timely opportunity to propel leaders from the public, private and people sectors towards greater impact.
ThinkPlace Singapore was engaged to co-design and facilitate their first virtual Colabs series, given the new working realities brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal was to bring together the trisector leaders to unpack the complex issues facing male migrant workers, and co-create systems maps that could be used by members of action networks that work to uplift the migrant worker experience in Singapore.
ThinkPlace used a systems-thinking approach to design a series of virtual workshops that would guide participants through the process of mapping out the complex interrelations between the different actors and issues that impact migrant workers, targeting the high-level aspiration statement: “How do we improve the quality of life of migrant workers for a better Singapore for all?”. Working closely with the NVPC team, we designed activities focusing on co-creating the system and journey maps, exploring specific issues, identifying opportunities for action, and crucially, facilitating relationship-building among the diverse stakeholders participating in the workshops.
Over 6 months, over 200 current and potential park-goers were interviewed via focus group discussions, surveys, polls. Participants were also involved in co-designing their desired future experience within the park via virtual facilitation (via Zoom) and an online collaboration whiteboard (MURAL).

Client: National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)
Role: Leading the synthesis and visualisation of system maps to unpack and represent the Migrant Worker ecosystem in Singapore.

SYSTEMS-SUBSYSTEMS FRAMEWORK: We use this key framework to describe the system and interactions of subsystems In a Migrant Worker's life. Here we see the links between his
immediate needs, the subsystems he interacts with and the overarching
narrative within which his experiences are located in.

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SYSTEMS AND SUBSYSTEMS: The five overarching system narrative describes the macrosystem
within which the collection or interdependent subsystems reside
Each subsystem is made up of different interaction points and services
which together, supports the Migrant Worker's life in Singapore.

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STAKEHOLDER MAP: This map captures the main interests and constraints of each
stakeholder and locates them within the key subsystem they
are associated with. However, we have to acknowledge that a stakeholder
stakeholder may hold hybrid interests and could be Involved
other subsystems as well.

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ISSUES MAP: This map explores the issues within each subsystem. It shows how the
different variables inter-link with each other, what structural forces might be
in play and how a change in one variable will impact the rest of the system.

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