--- title: "TikToker distributes food and masks to construction workers amid haze: ‘While we complain in our homes, they build them’" url: "/trending-now/tiktoker-distributes-food-and-masks-construction-workers-amid-haze-while-we-complain-our-homes-they" published: "2026-10-17T04:04:09.000Z" updated: "2026-10-17T04:09:12.000Z" section: "Trending Now" authors: ["Ivan Lim"] tags: ["TNP News","haze","mask","food","Tampines","migrant worker"] --- # TikToker distributes food and masks to construction workers amid haze: ‘While we complain in our homes, they build them’ *A TikToker has distributed food and masks to migrant workers at a Tampines construction site amid the haze, saying that while people complain from the comfort of their homes, the workers are the ones building them.* A TikToker has distributed food and masks to migrant workers at a Tampines construction site amid the haze, saying that while people complain from the comfort of their homes, the workers are the ones building them. TikToker Kai Emilio, who goes by @kaiemilio99 and describes himself as a 27-year-old “business boy” and content creator, shared the 78-second clip on Oct 16 in which he invites construction workers at an executive condominium project on Tampines Street 95 to help themselves to provisions loaded in the boot of his car. After thanking them for their work despite the haze, Kai says he wanted to give them something. “I don’t know if everybody get or not,” he says, uncertain if the provisions in his boot were enough for every worker. When one worker suggests they “share share”, Kai echoes the phrase in agreement. Kai explains that it was a last-minute decision on his part to hand out the goodies, even promising to return on another day if these weren’t enough. ![](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/62d68158c2f7ba00ef011ca619b3ed4d2b593ae9f90c73ea635d587ffc25f0b9) In addition to food and drinks, Kai and his companions also handed out surgical masks to the workers. “We breathe the same air but while we complain in our homes, they build them…” says Kai in an in-screen title. He also expresses his appreciation to the workers, saying: “Thank you for building Singapore. You don’t have, Singapore don’t have.” ## Netizens praise him for generous gesture The video has so far racked up more than 100,000 views, 10,000 reactions, and 200 comments. Kai’s kindness touched netizens, though several pointed out that the surgical masks were not useful against the haze. “The intention is there bro, but this mask is useless for haze,” said a TikToker. “You’re such an angel. Kudos to you, bro. Btw, surgical masks don’t help with PM2.5. N95 would be the correct one. Keep doing what you are doing. May Allah protect you always,” another said. Many were still full of praise for what he did. “This is a powerful video… Full of gestures from the heart… Full of goodnes… God bless you always,” said a netizen. Others were moved by his thoughtfulness for the workers. “Appreciate Abang (kindheartedness) giving out to workers… Life is not easy,” said a netizen. “They really work so hard under the hot sun to bring up their family. Even you give them food which i think not a big amount but I can see all the workers really happy,” another said. One foreign worker chimed in, too: “As foreign workers in Singapore, I would like to say thank you, sir.” Many commenters hoped Kai would be rewarded for his endeavours. “May Allah bless you and your family with the donation,” said one. “May your pockets never run dry,” another said. Stomp has reached out to Kai Emilio for more details. ## Decide to show appreciation after seeing workers continuing to work despite haze Speaking to Stomp, Kai said the distribution took place on the evening of Oct 16 at a construction site opposite his home. He was accompanied by his wife and two friends. The 27-year-old said he had seen the migrant workers continuing to work the previous night despite the haze. “I felt quite sad seeing them working under those conditions while we had the comfort of staying indoors. So the following day, I thought I’d get them some provisions and masks, just as a small gesture of appreciation,” Kai told Stomp. He said the workers appeared “really happy and grateful” upon receiving the food and masks. Kai was also touched by how considerate some of the workers were, noting that some took less as the queue moved along. “It felt as though they wanted to make sure everyone behind them would get something too,” he said. Asked if he would do something similar again, Kai said: “If I could do it a million times, I would, without a second thought.”