Living the Dream’: Why a Young Singapore Lawyer Chooses to Serve Migrant Workers Full-Time

In a quiet office near Singapore’s industrial districts, a young lawyer has traded a promising corporate career for a life devoted to defending migrant workers. While many of his peers pursue high-paying positions in commercial law firms, he has chosen a different path—one driven by conviction rather than compensation.
After graduating from law school and qualifying to practice in Singapore, the lawyer briefly worked in a traditional firm. The long hours and high salaries offered professional security, but something felt missing. He soon began volunteering with organizations that provide legal aid to migrant laborers who face workplace injuries, unpaid wages, and housing disputes.
“What started as volunteering became my purpose,” he said. “I realized this is the work that makes me feel useful.”
A Hidden Workforce
Migrant workers form the backbone of Singapore’s construction, shipping, and sanitation industries. Many arrive from South Asia and Southeast Asia with hopes of supporting families back home. While their labor fuels the nation’s rapid development, their lives often remain invisible to the public.
Workers frequently encounter contract violations, dangerous working conditions, and barriers to justice. Language differences, fear of deportation, and lack of legal knowledge prevent many from seeking help. For this young lawyer, the imbalance was impossible to ignore.
“When a worker is injured, they often don’t know their rights,” he explained. “They feel powerless. Law can give them a voice.”
Choosing Service Over Salary
Leaving corporate law was not an easy decision. Friends and family questioned why he would give up financial stability for work that offered modest pay and emotional strain. Yet he describes the shift as liberating rather than sacrificial.
“I’m living the dream,” he said simply. “I wake up knowing my work directly changes someone’s life.”
His days are spent interviewing injured workers, preparing legal claims, and negotiating with employers. Some cases take months to resolve, requiring patience and persistence. Many workers arrive with stories of exploitation and fear, unsure whether anyone will stand up for them.
The lawyer sees his role as both advocate and bridge—connecting vulnerable individuals to a system that often feels intimidating and inaccessible.
Small Victories, Deep Impact
Success is measured not in billable hours but in human outcomes. A worker receiving overdue wages. Another gaining compensation for a serious injury. A third being allowed to return home with dignity instead of debt.
“These moments are everything,” he said. “You see relief in their faces. You know justice is not abstract—it’s personal.”
He recalls one client who had been denied medical treatment after a workplace accident. With legal pressure, the employer agreed to cover hospital costs and provide compensation. “That man told me he could finally sleep again,” the lawyer said. “That’s why I do this.”
Changing Public Perception
Beyond legal battles, the lawyer hopes to reshape how society views migrant workers. He speaks at universities and community events, urging young professionals to see them not as statistics but as individuals with stories and families.
“Migrant workers build our cities,” he said. “They deserve respect and protection, not silence.”
His work has also inspired classmates from law school to volunteer their skills, creating a growing network of young professionals committed to social justice.
A Different Definition of Success
For many in Singapore’s competitive environment, success is defined by income and status. This lawyer offers another model—one rooted in service and meaning.
“I could have chosen comfort,” he reflected. “But I chose purpose.”
He acknowledges that the work is emotionally heavy and financially modest, yet insists it has given him something more valuable than prestige: fulfillment.
Looking Ahead
The lawyer plans to continue working with migrant communities and hopes to influence policy reforms that strengthen worker protections. His long-term goal is to create a sustainable legal support system that ensures no worker is left alone when facing injustice.
As he puts it, “If the law exists to protect people, then it should protect everyone—not just those who can afford it.”
His story stands as a quiet reminder that true success is not always found in courtrooms of power, but in small offices where justice begins with listening.