Update on Improving Living Conditions in Migrant Worker Dormitories
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the progress of improving living conditions and public health resilience in migrant worker dormitories, as raised by Mr Christopher de Souza. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng highlighted that new dormitories must meet enhanced standards, such as larger living spaces and en-suite toilets, while a transition plan for existing facilities is currently being developed. The Ministry of Manpower will also build and own two new Purpose-Built Dormitories to pilot innovative features and improve the lived experience of workers. Proactive inspections are maintained by Forward Assurance and Support Teams, who engage workers and operators to resolve living condition issues promptly. Finally, the Primary Care Plan introduced in April 2022 ensures workers have access to affordable primary healthcare and telemedicine services within their dormitories.
Transcript
42 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Manpower whether an update can be provided on the Ministry’s plan to transition existing migrant worker dormitories to improved standards to strengthen public health resilience and improve living conditions.
43 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Manpower whether an update can be provided on the current living conditions in migrant worker dormitories to ensure the health and safety of all workers.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has taken several steps over the past few years to improve living conditions and the health and safety of migrant workers.
New dormitories approved from September 2021 onwards are required to meet enhanced living and public health standards such as larger living space per resident, in-room Wi-Fi facilities, en-suite toilets, better ventilation in rooms, dedicated bed spaces for isolation purposes, and wastewater surveillance. Six Quick Build Dormitories built in 2021 that meet these new standards continue to be in operation and provide accommodation to migrant workers. Furthermore, we are pressing on with plans to build more Purpose-Built Dormitories (PBDs), which will adhere to the new standards. MOM will also be building and owning two new PBDs, which will be operated by a new corporate entity in partnership with the private sector. These dormitories will have enhanced features that build on the improved standards for new dormitories. They will also provide MOM with the opportunity to innovate and pilot new ideas for public health resilience and dormitory living to improve the lived experience of migrant workers.
MOM is currently working closely with stakeholders to develop a transition plan for existing dormitories to transit to improved standards. This will take into consideration what existing infrastructure in the dormitories can support, as well as the potential disruptions to dormitory bed supply. MOM will announce the transition plan when ready.
MOM also actively inspects dormitories and proactively addresses issues concerning living conditions. MOM’s Forward Assurance and Support Teams (FAST), first deployed during the Circuit Breaker in 2020, proactively and regularly visit dormitories to engage migrant workers about their overall well-being, and work with both workers and dormitory operators to resolve issues pertaining to living conditions in a timely manner.
In addition, MOM introduced the Primary Care Plan in April 2022, giving migrant workers access to quality and affordable primary healthcare services, including telemedicine that they can easily access from their dormitories.