Notice paper 646 of 2017 for the sitting on 08 May 2017
Question no. 463 for written answer
MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
To ask the Minister of Manpower (a) what percentage of workers are living in accommodation not covered under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act; and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure that these accommodation that fall outside the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act are of equivalent standards to larger dormitories.
Answer
1. As of March 2017, about one-third of Work Permit Holders residing in Singapore live in foreign employee dormitories licensed under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA), which imposes additional conditions appropriate to the higher concentration risks posed by large dormitories. The remaining two-thirds live in other smaller accommodation types, such as Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs), HDB Flats, and Private Residential Premises.
2. Smaller accommodation types which are not covered under the FEDA are nonetheless still required to comply with a set of comprehensive regulations and requirements imposed by various agencies, to ensure a safe and well-maintained living space for foreign workers. They include standards for building structural safety governed by BCA, fire safety governed by SCDF, as well as proper and adequate sanitary facilities governed by NEA. Once all approvals have been obtained, URA will then grant the owner of the premises with permission to operate a workers’ dormitory.
3. To ensure these accommodation are of comparable standards to larger dormitories, we take 3 approaches. First, the Government regularly reviews standards across all types of foreign workers’ accommodation, taking into account the unique nature of each type. Where appropriate, the minimum standards will be raised to improve the well-being of foreign workers. For example, MOM has required operators of Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) to comply with additional conditions from 1 January 2017, including the provision of Wi-Fi and a sickbay. The Ministry also works closely with various agencies such as NEA, URA and SCDF to conduct routine and ad-hoc inspections.
4. Second, in addition to looking into complaints of poor housing, we also conduct proactive inspections. From 2014 to 2016, MOM conducted close to 4,000 foreign worker housing inspections. MOM ramped up our housing inspections from 700 in 2014 to 1,800 in 2016. Third, enforcement actions are taken against employers and/or dormitory operators who fail to comply with our regulations and requirements.
Written Answer by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower to Parliamentary Question on Accommodation not covered under Foreign Employee Dormitories Act
Notice paper 646 of 2017 for the sitting on 08 May 2017
Question no. 463 for written answer
MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
To ask the Minister of Manpower (a) what percentage of workers are living in accommodation not covered under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act; and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure that these accommodation that fall outside the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act are of equivalent standards to larger dormitories.
Answer
1. As of March 2017, about one-third of Work Permit Holders residing in Singapore live in foreign employee dormitories licensed under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act (FEDA), which imposes additional conditions appropriate to the higher concentration risks posed by large dormitories. The remaining two-thirds live in other smaller accommodation types, such as Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs), HDB Flats, and Private Residential Premises.
2. Smaller accommodation types which are not covered under the FEDA are nonetheless still required to comply with a set of comprehensive regulations and requirements imposed by various agencies, to ensure a safe and well-maintained living space for foreign workers. They include standards for building structural safety governed by BCA, fire safety governed by SCDF, as well as proper and adequate sanitary facilities governed by NEA. Once all approvals have been obtained, URA will then grant the owner of the premises with permission to operate a workers’ dormitory.
3. To ensure these accommodation are of comparable standards to larger dormitories, we take 3 approaches. First, the Government regularly reviews standards across all types of foreign workers’ accommodation, taking into account the unique nature of each type. Where appropriate, the minimum standards will be raised to improve the well-being of foreign workers. For example, MOM has required operators of Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) to comply with additional conditions from 1 January 2017, including the provision of Wi-Fi and a sickbay. The Ministry also works closely with various agencies such as NEA, URA and SCDF to conduct routine and ad-hoc inspections.
4. Second, in addition to looking into complaints of poor housing, we also conduct proactive inspections. From 2014 to 2016, MOM conducted close to 4,000 foreign worker housing inspections. MOM ramped up our housing inspections from 700 in 2014 to 1,800 in 2016. Third, enforcement actions are taken against employers and/or dormitory operators who fail to comply with our regulations and requirements.