http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_354500.html
New dorms for workers
By Melissa Sim
Wokers at a make-shift workers' domitory in Tagore Industrial Avenue. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
NEARLY 2,600 foreign workers were found to be living in 16 unapproved dormitories, which were raided by several government agencies over two days this month.
The Ministry of Manpower, together with the National Environment Agency, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, conducted checks on the workers quarters the Woodlands, Tuas, Serangoon Road and Tagore areas on March 10 and 24.
Following the operations, 147 companies were issued warning letters ordering them to move their workers to approved purpose built dormitories. To speed up the relocation process, MOM provided the employers with information on such dormitories, said a MOM statement on Wednesday.
In the first operation on March 10, inspectors found more than 1,900 foreign workers housed in eight unapproved dormitories on factory premises in Woodlands and Tuas, and on residential premises in the Serangoon Road area. In all, 83 companies were warned to relocate these foreign workers to approved accommodation.
In the second operation on Tuesday, four factories in Sungei Kadut, Tuas, Tech Park and Tagore area, and four residential units in the Serangoon Road area were inspected, all of which were not approved for foreign worker housing. Some 660 workers from 64 companies will have to move to acceptable accommodation over the next two weeks.
Mr Aw Kum Cheong, Divisional Director of the Foreign Manpower Management Division, MOM said: 'Despite the economic downturn, it is unacceptable that employers house their foreign workers in illegal or unapproved housing to save costs.
'Housing foreign workers in extremely overcrowded and unhygienic conditions pose a danger to the safety and health of the workers, as well as to public health in general. They will not be tolerated.
'Acceptable accommodation is now readily available in purpose-built dormitories and there is no excuse for employers to house their workers in unapproved housing. All the agencies involved in these two operations will continue to coordinate closely and more operations will be conducted in the future.'
MOM reminded employers that they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their foreign workers.
Errant bosses can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both, for each infringement. In addition, the breach will be taken into consideration when the Ministry considers the employer's subsequent applications for Work Permits.
New dorms for workers
By Melissa Sim
Wokers at a make-shift workers' domitory in Tagore Industrial Avenue. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
NEARLY 2,600 foreign workers were found to be living in 16 unapproved dormitories, which were raided by several government agencies over two days this month.
The Ministry of Manpower, together with the National Environment Agency, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, conducted checks on the workers quarters the Woodlands, Tuas, Serangoon Road and Tagore areas on March 10 and 24.
Following the operations, 147 companies were issued warning letters ordering them to move their workers to approved purpose built dormitories. To speed up the relocation process, MOM provided the employers with information on such dormitories, said a MOM statement on Wednesday.
In the first operation on March 10, inspectors found more than 1,900 foreign workers housed in eight unapproved dormitories on factory premises in Woodlands and Tuas, and on residential premises in the Serangoon Road area. In all, 83 companies were warned to relocate these foreign workers to approved accommodation.
In the second operation on Tuesday, four factories in Sungei Kadut, Tuas, Tech Park and Tagore area, and four residential units in the Serangoon Road area were inspected, all of which were not approved for foreign worker housing. Some 660 workers from 64 companies will have to move to acceptable accommodation over the next two weeks.
Mr Aw Kum Cheong, Divisional Director of the Foreign Manpower Management Division, MOM said: 'Despite the economic downturn, it is unacceptable that employers house their foreign workers in illegal or unapproved housing to save costs.
'Housing foreign workers in extremely overcrowded and unhygienic conditions pose a danger to the safety and health of the workers, as well as to public health in general. They will not be tolerated.
'Acceptable accommodation is now readily available in purpose-built dormitories and there is no excuse for employers to house their workers in unapproved housing. All the agencies involved in these two operations will continue to coordinate closely and more operations will be conducted in the future.'
MOM reminded employers that they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their foreign workers.
Errant bosses can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both, for each infringement. In addition, the breach will be taken into consideration when the Ministry considers the employer's subsequent applications for Work Permits.
