The Dormitories Association of Singapore Limited (DASL) was officially launched on 17 December 2012 to ensure migrant workers are given quality accommodation.
Under the guidance of the Migrant Workers Centre (MWC), a set of benchmark standards for the industry was established to promote industry consistency and improved practices.
“Over the years, employers have increasingly realised the need for quality accommodation for their migrant workers. This will help in building a happy and productive workforce.
“As an association, we see ourselves as the partners to employers in keeping their migrant workforce healthy, happy and productive,” said JYC-NCL Chief Executive Officer and DASL Secretary-General Simon Lee.
The benchmark standards, which have been endorsed by the Ministry of Manpower, provide best practices guidelines on issues such as bed arrangement and storage facilities, sanitary and toilet facilities, and canteen, cooking and laundry facilities.
Living conditions of the workers is also something that MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang has been concerned about and he looks forward to working closely with all partners involved.
He said: “Over the last two to three months, we have been working on the standards. I’m very happy that today all of them agreed to sign this adoption documents to ensure and commit that they will uphold the standard based on the benchmark that we set.”
The formation of DASL has garnered support from the Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU), a union with a high number of migrant workers.
