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Cockroaches and filth: Dormitory operator and director first to be charged under 2015 law over ‘unacceptable’ conditions

SINGAPORE — Dormitory operator Labourtel Management Corporation and its director have become the first company and individual to be charged under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a press release on Thursday (July 4).

Under the Act passed in 2015, operators of dormitories are required, among other things, to obtain a licence under FEDA to operate.

Under the Act passed in 2015, operators of dormitories are required, among other things, to obtain a licence under FEDA to operate.

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SINGAPORE — Dormitory operator Labourtel Management Corporation and its director have become the first company and individual to be charged under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a press release on Thursday (July 4).

During MOM's inspections, cockroaches were found in dormitories which also had missing or damaged light fixtures, faulty shower taps and corroded railings and staircases, the ministry said.

Labourtel and its director 42-year-old Parvis Ahamed Mohamed Ghouse face 10 and six charges respectively after several dormitories were found to be "filthy and unacceptable". 

The dormitories were found to be “poorly maintained” and in “unsatisfactory living conditions”, said the ministry.

The charges stated that they failed to comply with the licensing conditions, in breaches committed between November 2017 and January 2019.

Under the Act passed in 2015, operators of dormitories are required, among other things, to obtain a licence under FEDA to operate.

The MOM found several breaches during inspections of four purpose-built dormitories managed by Labourtel: Jurong Penjuru Dormitory 1 and 2, Blue Stars Dormitory and The Leo.

The cases against Labourtel — a company under MES Group, which provides property and logistics solutions — and Parvis have been adjourned to Aug 1. 

If convicted, offenders can be fined up to S$50,000 and jailed for up to 12 months for each contravention of the licensing conditions.

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dormitory foreign worker MES Group MOM

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