Moves to improve worker dorms timely

I applaud the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) move to improve housing conditions for migrant workers (“Higher standards set for factory-converted dorms from next year”; Aug 25) living in factory-converted dorms.

After toiling the whole day, it is important that foreign workers are housed in a decent and safe environment, in which their basic needs are met.

The four new conditions set by the MOM are necessary, especially the requirement to have one sick bay on the dormitory premises to deal with cases of infectious diseases. Workers with transmissible diseases such as the common cold and influenza must be segregated from co-stayers to minimise the risks of infecting others.

This condition is also timely in the wake of recent tuberculosis cases involving an Ang Mo Kio housing block, SMRT staff and now a teacher at a pre-school in Bukit Batok.

While it is good to give recognition and awards to exemplary dormitory operators, the MOM should also come down hard on those who house workers in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions.