Cardijn Community International Archives

Advocating for workers: Sinapan Samydorai

Friends and human rights colleagues are remembering former IYCW Asia-Pacific leader Sinapan Samydorai, a founding member of the Cardijn Community International, who died on 27 March 2025.

We send our condolences to his wife, Yun Shan Shum, their sons, and all family, friends and colleagues.

IYCW International Team meeting, Leuven, Belgium, 1990

This is a tribute from Hans Goh, a former YCW leader from Singapore:

Samydorai had a keen sense of justice and he cared for workers. He spent about 45 years of his life advocating for the dignity of workers, workers’ rights, and human rights.
In 1984 he worked in a factory with a mission to extend Young Christian Workers Movement (YCW). He spent time getting to know his fellow workers, listened to their stories to understand their reality. He visited them at their hostels and homes. He built friendship with his fellow workers and brought them to the YCW Workers Centre in Jurong for leisure, friendship, learning and to know about YCW. He contributed to the formation of leaders.
Sam spoke up for his colleagues who faced poor and unsafe working conditions. He worked with them to seek better protection including writing to the Ministry of Labour.
Fr Patrick Goh, former National Chaplain, YCW paid tribute to Sam. “He is always there for the workers in Singapore, Malaysia and Asia. Always faithful to the Review of Life (See, Judge and Act), seeing me almost every week to review his work in the factories, the YCW groups in the parishes and in Asia.”
Sam was the President of YCW from 1983 to 1986. He worked Part-time for YCW for about two years. During his leadership YCW Singapore published the Report on 12-hour Shift, and Retrenchment Report, calling for better protection of workers and job security. In 1987, he worked full-time for Asia Pacific IYCW based in Hongkong. Sam continued his apostolate work with the Christian Family Movement (CFSM), Singapore.
After that he spent many years working for different Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), worker organisations and human rights groups. He built networks and organised many training sessions for workers and the leaders of NGOs. He was the Regional and International Team member of World Movement of Christian Workers (WMCW) for two terms. In this capacity, he had an audience with Pope John Paul II to share the reality of workers in Asia.
Sam was a leader of Think Centre, Singapore. He organised the 1st and 2ndAsean Civil Society Conference in Singapore where civil society organisations from Asean and around the region met to share ideas, network, and support one another’s works in the promotion and protection of human rights.
Sam was elected to Forum Asia’s Executive Committee where he helped to take the organisation forward. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development is regional human rights organisation in 23 countries across Asia.
He was involved in labour work for International Labour Organisation (ILO). He helped start the Task Force on ASEAN Migrant Workers. This is a group of representatives of civil society organizations and trade unions working for protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. The group bought many parties together and was recognised by governments, unions, and employers in ASEAN.
Sam was a resolute leader. He had some health issues. Despite that he was always on the move working for and with the workers. His contribution and expertise will be missed. The workers have lost a good friend,
Former YCW members, friends in Singapore and oversea have asked me to convey our deepest condolences to Sam’s family and thank them for their support for Sam through the years. The family support was important for him in his mission.
I end this tribute to Sam with a quote from Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept faith.”
Sam, indeed, you have fought a good fight for workers. Rest in peace.
Hans Goh
Former YCW and long-time friend of Samydorai.
Note: This tribute includes the sentiments of former YCW members and Sam’s friends.

Cardijn Community International convenor, Ruben Joseph, also recalled Sam’s enthusiasm and dedication to the cause:

I have always admired Sam’s enthusiasm and dedication. He gave his all to the cause he chose as the priority of his life. He spent most of his life outside the comfort zone of his family.
I share the sentiments expressed by Hansern. I know the health issues he faced but that never stopped his work. He was always on the move. His love for Cardijn and his methodology was something to be greatly appreciated. He was a good trainer.
As a member of IYCW Asia Pacific Team he made a mark especially in terms of extension and training.
Sam was very supportive of Cardijn Community International (CCI) from its very foundation. He participated in all CCI programs and encouraged us. Thank you Sam for being a ‘model leader’. You have fulfilled the meaning of your life. Rest in peace Comrade!
Ruben Joseph

In Malaysia, Glorene Dass, executive director of human and worker rights NGO, Tenaganita, also honoured Sam with this Facebook tribute:

Cardijn Community International, General Assembly, Bangkok, 2011

Foundation meeting of the Cardijn Liaison Committee, original name of CCI, Bangkok, 2001

In Loving Memory of Sinapan Samydorai
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sinapan Samydorai, a passionate advocate, a tireless defender of migrant rights, and a dear friend to so many across Asia.
I first met Samy in 1999, when I began my journey at Tenaganita as a mere case officer. From the very beginning, he was someone who radiated warmth, wisdom, and an irrepressible sense of humour. Even in the face of personal health challenges, he was consistently positive ,full of life, laughter, and encouragement. Conversations with him were always filled with inspiration, and his unwavering belief in justice gave strength to many of us in the movement.
He was a true giant in the fight for dignity and rights for migrant workers, dedicating decades of his life to causes often overlooked and underfunded. His work across regional platforms has left an profound mark on the regional human rights landscape. He connected communities, bridged movements, and nurtured leadership across generations.
Thank you, Samy, for your relentless pursuit of justice, your laughter in difficult times, and the love you poured into this struggle. You have touched countless lives, and your legacy will continue through every step we take for a more just and compassionate world.
Rest now in strength and love. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.
With heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who walked this journey with him.
Glorene A. Das
Executive Director, Tenaganita

Remembering Sam

IYCW History Project meeting, Hong Kong, 1998

Cardijn launched first YCW group in 1912: A Centenary Tribute

A century ago this Easter, young Fr Joseph Cardijn arrived in the parish of Our Lady at Laeken near Brussels to take up a post as curate with particular responsibility for women’s projects.

A few months later, with a group of teenage girl apprentices, he launched a study circle that he came to regard as the first ever Young Christian Workers (YCW) team. Working with Madeleine De Roo, Victoire Cappe and others young women leaders, Cardijn rapidly laid the foundations for what would become a worldwide movement of young workers. Later in 1912, he would also meet 18 year-old Fernand Tonnet, who would join him later in founding the YCW movement for young men before eventually dying in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.

“The most fundamental characteristic of the beginnings of the YCW (before the First World War) was the call to an apostolate, a total and complete apostolate for several young women workers who would train and raise up the others,” Cardijn wrote much later.

“It was a time of great apostolic demands and great apostolic commitments,” he continued. These included:

leaving a ‘good job’ for a workshop, a factory, a dirty, repugnant, sub-human job;
accepting to share meals with women workers in the workshops of factories making rabbit fur, rubber, artificial silk; or
going to live in an attic in Rue Haute [High Street] in the midst of an environment of prostitution.

Instilling what he described as a “very active” spirituality based on meditation, prayer, sacraments and study, Cardijn inspired an amazing sense of commitment in the young women workers of Laeken.

“The story of this ‘golden legend’ has never been written down,” Cardijn noted. “However, it is the only explanation for the extraordinary power of the YCW, the YCW mystique.

“I believe that it is the essential condition of the true worker revolution. Without it, we are doomed to bourgeoisification,” he warned.

Although the world of 2012 is very different from that of 1912, some things have not changed. In 1912, Europe was in the throes of its industrial revolution. Today, the whole Global South is in the midst of its own vast industrial revolution.

Whereas Cardijn once spoke of “millions and millions of young workers”, today the reality is that there are billions of young workers throughout the world, particularly in the developing countries. The needs and problems that moved Cardijn to act are greater than ever.

‘Globalization’ has permeated into all spheres of life and is projected as the ‘new religion’. Consumer culture promotes ‘consumption’ as a key to people’s own identity.

The Cardijn Community International (CCI) therefore wishes to take this opportunity to express its solidarity with the YCW and all others who base their work on Cardijn’s principles.

We call for a fresh commitment to Cardijn’s cause so that a new generation of young people may be able to discover their mission to transform the world together with all those working to build ‘another world’.

On this historic occasion, we also renew our commitment to promoting Cardijn’s spirituality, vision and See-Judge-Act methodology.

Vatican 2 + 50: A Cardijn Perspective

To mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, CCI will hold a conference on the theme “Vatican 2 + 50: A Cardijn Perspective” to be held at the Pius XII Centre, Manila from 11-14 October 2012.

The aim of the conference will be to launch a three year project by CCI to study the spirit and teachings of Vatican II and their implementation, particularly in relating to Catholic social teaching and the lay apostolate.

This will be done from the perspective of the spirituality and methodology of the late Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement as well as a Council Father at Vatican II.

In the lead up to the conference, CCI will also launch a preparatory enquiry to begin the process of evaluating how far the spirit and teachings of Vatican II with regard to social teachings and lay participation have been promoted, understood and implemented.

Preparation for the event will also focus in particular on the two conciliar documents: Gaudium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution On the Church In the Modern World, and
Apostolicam Actuositatem, Decree On the Apostolate of the Laity.

Joseph Cardijn took part in the Council first as a consultant to the Commission on Lay Apostolate from 1962-65 and later as a Council Father in the Fourth Session of the Council after he was made a bishop and cardinal by Pope Paul VI.

“Cardijn gave three speeches on the floor of the Council on the themes: Religious Freedom, Young People and the Developing World, and Workers in the World,” noted CCI President Stefan Gigacz. “He also prepared two more speeches on the Lay Apostolate and the Life and Ministry of the Priest that he was unable to deliver orally.”

“We hope also to work on these six themes that Cardijn emphasised over the next three years of our project,” Mr Gigacz added.

More details of the conference will be posted here and on our dedicated website: www.vatican2plus50.com

CCI condemns violence against workers

Cardijn Community condemns violence against struggling workers in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Cardijn Community International (CCI), an international development network, is deeply distressed at the way the workers’ struggles are handled in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

In Indonesia, the PT Micro Garment Plant workers in Bandung are on strike from May 6 demanding reduction of working hours to 10 hrs a day and protesting against the dismissal of 460 workers during the dispute.

It has been brought to our notice that the police force which behaves as if they are the custodians of the property of the management used ‘force’ and brutally attacked the striking workers to disperse them from the factory gate. A pregnant woman was kicked by the police and had a ‘miscarriage’ and lost her baby. The police have cordoned off the area from May 31 parking their vehicles to prevent the workers from assembling at the factory site.

However, the workers are ceaselessly continuing the struggle in the hope of succeeding in their demands. International solidarity is gaining momentum and pressure is being mounted on the government of Indonesia to intervene in the dispute and render justice.

CCI is equally disturbed at the violence unleashed by the police on Monday, 30 May on the Free Trade Zone workers from Garment Factories who were protesting against a Private Sector Pension Bill which does not guarantee pension to the workers. Fr. Reid Fernando, Animator of the Young Christian Workers of Colombo Archdiocese has issued a statement condemning the ‘violence
generated by the police’. Log on to www.cardijn.info for more details.

We call upon the trade unions, civil society organizations and the international community to extend their support to the struggling workers in these two countries.

We also call upon the governments of Indonesia and Sri Lanka to intervene and render justice to the struggling workers and bring to rein in the erring and overzealous authorities.

For CCI International Coordination,
M. J. Ruben
International Convenor
June 1, 2011