Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Laws needed for workers in smaller dorms too, say MPs

SINGAPORE — As laws were passed yesterday to introduce a licensing regime for foreign-worker dormitories with 1,000 beds and over, questions were raised as to whether enough was being done to regulate smaller dormitories, leaving the welfare of workers residing there at risk.

SINGAPORE — As laws were passed yesterday to introduce a licensing regime for foreign-worker dormitories with 1,000 beds and over, questions were raised as to whether enough was being done to regulate smaller dormitories, leaving the welfare of workers residing there at risk.

The newly-passed framework, which takes effect six months from now, means operators of larger dormitories must meet licensing conditions covering security, public health and social and recreational activities for the residents.

A Commissioner of Foreign Employee Dormitories will be appointed, and will have the power to direct investigations into whether a dormitory is up to scratch, suspend or revoke licences, and in situations where there is immediate danger or risk to the residents, direct an operator to take the necessary action.

The Commissioner will also have the power to order operators to restrict the entry and exit of dorm residents if there is a serious health threat or risk, or if there is a risk that incidents outside and within Singapore — including civil unrest, hostilities, war, and elections — could generate ill-will or hostilities among or between residents. Officers appointed as dormitory inspectors will also have the powers to enter, search and collect evidence from premises.

Proprietors and operators caught running an unlicensed dormitory could be fined up to S$500,000, or jailed up to two years, or both. If they flout the licensing conditions, they could be fined up to S$50,000, or jailed up to one year for each breach or both.

Dormitory Association of Singapore president Kelvin Teo told TODAY that most of its members are aware of the new regulations.

During the debate yesterday, some Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned why the new laws excluded the smaller operators, and how the authorities decided on the threshold of 1,000 or more beds.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) noted that similar problems could arise, regardless of a dormitory’s size.

Responding to the MPs’ concerns, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said the threshold will cover all existing and upcoming purpose-built dormitories, which will allow the authorities to factor these new requirements upstream.

“It doesn’t mean the rest of the space (is) not being regulated, they are,” he said. “Existing regulations continue to be there, they continue to be important, they continue to cover a wide-range of concerns that we have today and they will continue to be looked at and strengthened over time.”

There are currently about 50 purpose-built dormitories, with a maximum capacity of 200,000 beds.

On the licensing regime, Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) raised concerns over whether the move would not only isolate workers from the rest of the community but result in these mega-dormitories becoming restrictive places for foreign workers to live, confining them with the strict rules governing their hours and behaviour.

“It is important to guard against the danger of the purpose-built dorms becoming more like a prison or a labour camp, rather than a temporary home for guest workers,” she said.

Ms Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) also cautioned that the new laws may “inadvertently encourage discrimination and prejudice against foreign workers”, or even restrict their opportunity to assimilate.

In response, Mr Tan said it would be wrong to associate the steps taken to make dormitories safer and to meet the needs of residents with xenophobic sentiments.

“The Government’s longer-term view is that the accommodation needs of Work Permit Holders are best met in such dormitories where there are self-containing living, social and recreational facilities,” he said.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.