SIDS Launches Operation De-COVID-19 To Support Migrant Workers

Living & Lifestyle

Published on: February 24th, 2021
5 minutes read

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It is a known fact that 2020 has strongly impacted the globe, with the appearance of COVID-19 throwing many lives and economies into disarray. With the virus still lurking on our shores, most of us have seen drastic changes to the way we live, especially to our financial needs.

There is a particular community hit especially hard by COVID-19 - our migrant workers, who are the building blocks of our country’s infrastructure. COVID-19 had been rampant in their dormitories, making them ill, isolating them and putting a tight lid on their rice bowls.

“We will get through COVID-19 Together”

To support our migrant workers and stand in solidarity with them during this trying time, the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), has launched a fundraising campaign called ‘Operation De-COVID-19’ - the creation and sale of limited-edition T-shirts designed by 10 local designers from various disciplines. Every local business and community participating in this campaign will be listed on the back of each T-shirt.

There will be 100 pieces available for each of the 10 different T-shirt designs.

All proceeds, along with donations from the public, will go to the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund, the humanitarian charity of the Migrant Workers’ Centre and a non-governmental organization that champions fair employment practices and the well-being of migrant workers.

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State for Manpower, has expressed his support for our migrant workers and for Operation De-COVID-19. “COVID-19 has greatly disrupted our lives and affected livelihoods on an unprecedented level,” he said. “Many of our migrant workers who have helped build our country have similarly been affected.”

“I am glad that the Society of Interior Designers Singapore has initiated this T-shirt campaign, ‘Operation De-COVID-19’ to support our migrant workers. Every T-shirt design aims to give you a meaningful experience that ties in with the cause of this campaign.”

“We may face many challenges ahead, but what we have built as a nation bears testament to how we have overcome many other crises before. With resilience, we can and we will emerge stronger.”

Let us have a look at these special 10 T-shirt designs and the inspiration behind them.

1. Stronger Together

Andrew Loh and Kenny Lim

Co-founders / Designers, Depression, SECTS SHOP

“The message we will like to share is that even during the most difficult times, we as global citizens must come together to show love and concern for the people around us. Love conquers all.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

2. Daydreamer

Jackson Tan

Creative Director, BLACK

“The title of my design is ‘Daydreamer’. Why? Because the best way to fight and destroy the virus is to stay at home.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

3. Shelving Away The Virus

Keat Ong

Founder / Principal, Keat Ong Design

“The title of my artwork is called ‘Shelving Away The Virus’. It’s very much like how we shelve away our old archives. And on the shelf, you can find the different variations, or rather, different interpretations of how the COVID-19 (virus) would look like.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

4. CO-DEFEND

Kelley Cheng

Founder / Creative Director, The Press Room

“As you can see, it’s a visual pun on the COVID virus but turning it into a positive image of the globe, which is signifying the world, and everybody coming together to fight this virus. The title of my artwork is called ‘Co-Defend’, so again, it is taking away the ‘COVID’ and (instead) ‘Co-Defend’.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

5. Don’t Forget The Mask!

Look Boon Gee

Managing Director, Look Architects

“My inspiration for the T-shirt design was from a children’s book. So this is a lion, with (the words) ‘Don’t Forget The Mask’ with a snap-on mask, to convey the importance of one’s social responsibility during this coronavirus pandemic, which is ravaging the world now.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

6. Heartwork

Khairudin Saharom

Principal, Kite Studio Architecture

“My design for ‘Operation DE-COVID-19’ is very much based on our common desire and hope. Not just to come out through this very challenging time but to come out of it stronger and better as one big community.

Because I think it is not just about bringing down the numbers. It is also about us showing compassion, kindness and selflessness, because everyone matters. And I think it is this spirit of humanity, this spirit of inclusiveness that will guide us through this very challenging period.

So at the end of the day, it’s not just about all the hard work that we put in. It is also about the ‘heart’ work.

Hence you see the design, how the curve is being flattened down, being weighted down, by the heart.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

7. Void In Our Landscapes

Damian Tang

Senior Design Director, National Parks Board

Former President, Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects

“My design is titled ‘Void In Our Landscapes’. The void symbolises the impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers in the landscape industry, as well as the impact on our greenery and built environment.

This artwork is composed using ink, watercolour, and digital media. The different techniques used in this artwork represents the different skillsets of the migrant workers from different backgrounds and different countries, coming together to build our beautiful landscapes.

It also shows the emotional impact this pandemic has on every individual.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

8. Mr. Chocolate Egg

Janice Wong

Chef / Artist, Janice Wong Singapore

“In the face of adversity, we find a way to conquer, through art and imagination. This artwork is a debut to my series of cartoon characters, and he is a strong and fearless chocolate egg. Well, I hope everyone can take courage in this period of crisis.”

Image © Society of Interior Designers Singapore

9. Overcoming COVID Together

Kenny Hong

Founder, 11H

“My design depicts people from different races, languages and religions coming together to show compassion and support for our migrant workers. Let’s stand united as we fight in the war against COVID.”

10. Reflection

Peter Tay

Founder / Creative Director, Peter Tay Studio

“The main inspiration is about this cohesiveness. It is this kind of cohesiveness that I was looking for in every Singaporean.

The action of holding hands and working together as one family with one goal in mind, in which to help everyone overcome this pandemic situation together.

My design is in one simple notion of reflection, which also portrays in my personal works. It is about the reflection of one’s self in the past, and present.

What we are going through together now, and what lies ahead for us altogether, in which we will overcome this pandemic as one.”

These T-shirts are limited edition, with only 100 pieces per t-shirt design available. Each tee retails at SGD $38 each. Order now at https://shop.sid-singapore.org/

The SIDS and designers were not alone in this; the Society expresses their gratitude towards the following industry partners for helping to sponsor Operation De-COVID-19: