In this live radio feature interview on International Migrants Day (18 Dec), SMU Assistant Professor of Sociology Nicholas Harrigan, co-author of a recently-released study “Vital Yet Vulnerable: Mental and Emotional Health of South Asian Migrant Workers in Singapore” discussed the key findings. Numbering nearly one million persons or a third of the local workforce, it is crucial to understand the welfare issues confronting low-paid migrant workers. He shared insights on the main challenges they face, their level of mental and emotional health, the underlying issues, and possible implications for social changes. The research found that about 60 per cent of surveyed workers with an injury or salary claim with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) are likely to be under significant emotional distress, and the main drivers are threats of deportation, agent fee debts and housing issues. This study is part of the Social Insight Research Series of reports on unmet social needs in Singapore, driven by the Lien Centre of Social Innovation under SMU.