Two foreign workers’ dorms flagged for hygiene, safety lapses

SINGAPORE — Bedbug and cockroach infestations, overcrowded sleeping quarters and meals left beside workers’ beds that would go bad — these were some observations the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) made during a surprise visit to two dormitories in Geylang.

The advocacy and welfare group will be submitting documentation and its observations to the authorities, and will urge that stern action be taken against the employer, said MWC chairman Yeo Guat Kwang.

In a media statement, Mr Yeo said the centre conducted the visits on Sunday (Aug 13), slightly past midnight, to the dormitories at Lorong 13 and 17 Geylang, acting on foreign workers’ complaints in the past week about their accommodation and meals.

They are among 20 Bangladeshi workers the MWC is assisting regarding their salary claims made against three related construction companies believed to be under the management of a Bangladeshi permanent resident.

“As the workers’ latest claims appear to corroborate other potential offences on the part of the employer, the MWC planned a surprise visit to two of the companies’ housing facilities in order to verify the truth of these claims,” said Mr Yeo.

The MWC found the conditions in the two dormitories, which were walk-up apartment units, to be similar. There were more than the maximum number of eight occupants allowed, with unsanitary common areas and sleeping quarters.

No proper bedding was provided, with many of the workers having to sleep on the floor, including along the corridor and common areas.

Electrical power points were overloaded, and there was a lack of proper storage or laundry facilities.

The MWC also found out that all the food for the three companies’ workforce was prepared inside one of the dormitories. More than 100 packets of breakfast and lunch for the next day were left packed for collection.

“(It was) more than seven hours before consumption of breakfast, and most alarmingly, more than 12 hours before lunch would be consumed,” said Mr Yeo.

The workers told MWC they were charged S$130 a month for these meals, which were often unconsumable, with the cost deducted from their salaries.

“We find this arrangement unacceptable, especially in addition to the obvious fire and health hazards of having an industrial catering operation housed in an old third-storey walk-up apartment, and in close proximity to the sleeping areas,” said Mr Yeo.

He called the employer’s actions “a blatant disregard for the potentially disastrous consequences should an incident of fire or disease occur”, and urged all employers to mind their legal responsibilities even when their migrant workers lodge claims against them.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations, employers must provide acceptable accommodation for their workers that comply with the various statutory requirements.

Those convicted of contravening any of the conditions of the work pass can be fined up to S$10,000 and/or jailed for up to 12 months for each offence.