By Ryan Chan
Following a visit to foreign workers’ dormitories, the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has called for standards to be imposed for smaller, factory-converted dormitories (FCDs) so that foreign workers have better living conditions.
“We have documented all the housing lapses or failures we have observed during our visits to FCDs and have shared our findings with Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
“We have observed from our visits to FCDs that, in general, there appears to be more room for FCDs to improve workers’ living conditions, when compared to purpose-built dormitories. The MWC believes there is a need to set standards for smaller FCDs like those set in the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act for large institutional housing,” said MWC via a Facebook post.
Under the Act, dormitory operators housing 1,000 or more foreign workers have to apply for a licence from MOM, which keeps an eye on workers’ living conditions like cleaning arrangements, amenities provided and occupancy rates through quarterly management reports that operators have to submit.
Less Than Normal
MOM has also urged FCDs to improve the housing conditions of these workers. Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck said on the sidelines of a visit to an FCD operated by ASL Shipping that MOM is looking into MWC’s findings.
He also said information gathered by MOM from dormitories has shown “a big gap to close in terms of meeting just the normal standard”.
Currently, there are 1,000 FCDs in operation housing about 80,000 foreign workers in Singapore.
Source: NTUC This Week
