SINGAPORE – Fifty-six migrant domestic workers graduated from conversational Hokkien classes on February 8, 2026, equipping them with valuable communication skills to better connect with elderly Singaporean employers. The initiative, a collaboration between the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy (SHHKCA) and NTUC’s Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), aims to bridge language gaps and foster stronger relationships within households.
Ms. Hilda Tunliu, a domestic helper from Indonesia who has worked in Singapore for two decades, shared her experience. Initially, she relied on body language to communicate with an 88-year-old woman and her 97-year-old husband. Recognizing the need to connect more deeply, Ms. Tunliu began learning basic Hokkien phrases as she observed the couple interacting. “The first time I spoke to Ah Gong (grandpa) in Hokkien, he was very surprised, but he was so happy,” she recounted. “Since then, he would always speak Hokkien to me. Ah Ma (grandma) understands some English, but she’s very happy that I am putting in the effort to speak Hokkien.” She now confidently uses phrases like “jiak ba buay?” – meaning “have you eaten?” – and can inquire about her employers’ comfort and pain levels.
The graduation ceremony, held at SHHKCA’s Sennett Road campus, was attended by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang, who emphasized the importance of improved communication in building understanding, and empathy. “This learning exchange builds harmonious relationships, creates mutual respect and a sense of belonging for everyone involved,” he said. “When we create spaces for learning and sharing, we strengthen the bonds that make Singapore a caring and inclusive society.”
The need for such initiatives is becoming increasingly apparent as Singapore’s population ages. With the country projected to become a “super-aged society” in 2026 – defined as having at least one in five residents aged 65 or older – catering to the needs of senior citizens is a national priority.
Ms. Thiri Phone Htut, a 33-year-old domestic helper from Myanmar, also graduated from the program. She discovered the classes through a Facebook post by NTUC CDE and eagerly enrolled, as she cares for an 88-year-old woman with dementia. “Ah Ma can’t speak Mandarin or English. So I decided to learn some Hokkien to be able to converse with her and learn more of her needs,” Ms. Thiri explained. She noted that communication was initially difficult, leading to frustration for both herself and her employer. However, learning Hokkien has significantly improved their connection. “It was very difficult at the start, but slowly over time we improved our relationship after I learnt how to speak to her. We are much closer, and she also recognises me and my name,” she said.
The positive impact of the classes extends beyond the domestic workers themselves. Ms. Jileen Ng, the employer of Ms. Tunliu, observed a noticeable improvement in communication with her 69-year-old mother. Previously, she often had to translate between the two. “This initiative is really useful because the elderly at home are usually more comfortable speaking in dialect, and sometimes they cannot express themselves well in English and Mandarin,” Ms. Ng said. “There’s really been a big change. Now, I can see that it’s a lot easier for Hilda and my mother to communicate on a daily basis.”
The conversational Hokkien classes began in July 2025, following a partnership agreement signed between CDE and SHHKCA at NTUC and CDE’s annual May Day domestic workers’ celebration. CDE has also partnered with The Salvation Army to offer similar Cantonese classes. Pilot runs of both Cantonese and Hokkien classes, involving 25 and 11 participants respectively, paved the way for the formal launch of the program.
According to Michael Lim, Director of NTUC’s migrant workers segment, approximately 80 domestic workers have completed the Hokkien classes, while another 60 have participated in the Cantonese courses. Based on the success of the pilot programs, the initiative is slated to continue for at least another year, until June 2027. “Having run through the pilot period, together with the feedback we’ve received from the employers and the migrant domestic workers, I can say we are planning to continue this for at least the next year,” Mr. Lim stated.
Ms. Tunliu’s employers were supportive of her participation, even providing meals so she wouldn’t have to cook after attending lessons. This support underscores the broader benefits of the program, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious environment for both domestic workers and their employers.
