Hold employers, dormitory operators to greater account

I refer to the report “Two foreign workers’ dorms flagged for hygiene, safety lapses” (Aug 14).

This is not the first time transgressions in foreign workers’ dormitories have been observed and reported, yet the extent to which the submission of documentation and observations to the Government influences the penalties meted out is unclear.

In fact, the visits conducted by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) bring to mind broader questions: The prevalence of poor living conditions among foreign workers, the avenues of redress, and whether other non-governmental groups can flag more instances of abuse.

In the context of punishments and ramifications, in addition to the individual news stories, the Ministry of Manpower could detail the actions taken against employers, corresponding with the rules they have flouted. The availability of these trends would bring to attention repeat offenders, and an analysis of the types or patterns of transgressions would help with the identification of regulatory loopholes.

Furthermore, given that the MWC has uncovered these lapses and is assisting with salary claims, it is in its interest to follow up with the ministry, to ascertain the appropriateness of punitive measures and ensure that corrective policies are adopted.

It should be in the Government’s interest to hold employers and their dormitory operators to greater account, and to research foreign workers’ perceptions on a regular basis.

Policy problems on the ground can then be addressed quickly, and perhaps definitions of what is deemed liveable in dormitories could be improved.

If this is already done, then sharing these findings would allow the MWC and other non-governmental groups to police more actively.

Employers may decry such scrutiny, even though the need for them to provide their workers with a decent living environment is obvious.