Migrant Workers Consuming Alcohol and Sleeping on Roads and Outside Their Dormitories Where Drinking is Prohibited

63 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Minister for Manpower what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of migrant workers who are found sleeping on roads and pavements near dormitories where alcohol consumption is prohibited.

64 Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower what plans are in place to ensure that the large majority of foreign workers who have access to recreation centres near their dormitories consume alcohol at these purpose-built locations instead of drinking at roadsides and on pavements.

Dr Tan See Leng: Large dormitories have designated areas within their compounds for the consumption of food and alcohol. The majority of dormitory residents consume food and drinks within the dormitories. However, some residents may also eat and drink outside the dormitories on occasion, for example, when meeting their friends.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shares the concerns raised by members regarding the safety of the migrant workers, as well as the potential inconveniences to other road users, when workers socialise in an unsafe manner near public roads. We work with dormitory operators, migrant worker leaders and grassroots volunteers to patrol areas near dormitories and to educate migrant workers on road safety and to be considerate to other members of the public. We also disseminate advisories and reminders to workers on social media and mobile phone apps on road safety and responsible drinking. We will strengthen these efforts.

To complement in-dormitory amenities and provide more socialising venues for migrant workers, nine recreation centres were built near migrant worker dormitories. Free shuttle bus services are provided to and from dormitories. Together with non-government organisations and commercial partners, MOM has plans to improve the variety and quality of the offerings at the recreation centres to make them more attractive for our migrant workforce.