Establishment of Nutritional Benchmarks for Migrant Workers' Catered Meals and Compliance Assessment Framework

48 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry will consider establishing nutritional benchmarks or dietary guidelines for catered meals provided to migrant workers in dormitories or worksites; (b) if so, how the Ministry plans to implement and assess compliance with these benchmarks; and (c) whether the Ministry tracks indicators or complaints relating to meal adequacy.

Dr Tan See Leng: According to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM's) Migrant Worker Experience Survey in 2024, only about 13% of workers have their meals catered by employers. The survey also revealed that eight in 10 migrant workers either cook or purchase their own meals. Hence, there are no plans to establish nutritional benchmarks or dietary guidelines targeting catered meals for migrant workers.

Notwithstanding this, MOM has been educating workers on healthier meal choices when purchasing cooked meals or cooking their own. Together with the anchor operators of MOM’s primary healthcare system and non-governmental organisations, we educate migrant workers through the dissemination of videos, posters, roadshows and consults at the primary care clinics.

Migrant workers with food-related issues can approach MOM's Forward Assurance and Support Team officers or make a report via the FWMOMCare mobile application. MOM will follow up with the employer and/or dormitory operator to resolve the issues.