Foreign workers at a construction site in Singapore.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has urged operators of factory converted dormitories (FCDs) to improve the housing conditions of foreign workers, reported The Straits Times.
FCDs are factories that are partially converted into dormitories to house foreign workers.
Last week, foreign worker advocacy group the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), published photos of lapses it observed during its visits to various FCDs.
The MWC claimed that it found instances of dangerous overloaded electrical points, unhygienic sleeping quarters infested with bedbugs and filthy cooking areas.
In a Facebook post, the centre said it shared the findings with the MOM.
“We are looking into MWC’s suggestions,” said Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck, during a visit at an FCD operated by ASL Shipping.
“I’m heartened to know that for this company, ASL Shipping, that despite difficult times they are still putting workers’ welfare as the top priority and will not take shortcuts and will not cut down on any of the amenities,” he said.
“The place they sleep in is air-conditioned and you don’t see many (dormitory operators) providing that.”
However, he noted that feedback gathered by the MOM from other dormitories here showed that some have “a big gap to close in terms of meeting just the normal standard”.
Anthony Tan, Dormitory Manager at ASL Shipping, said: “The welfare of the workers is my responsibility, if there are any problems we will try our best to help.”
About six months ago, the company upgraded the Wi-Fi routers of the dorm at a cost of over $5,000 to allow workers to easily contact their families back home.
“The shipping industry is challenging at the moment, but the safety and welfare of the workers is something the company cannot compromise on,” said ASL Shipping Executive Director Ang Kok Leong.
On 24 August, Mr Teo will meet operators of FCDs to discuss dormitory management issues as well as regulatory housing standards and good practices observed during inspections.
There are around 1,000 FCD operators in Singapore which house about 80,000 foreign workers.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
