Written Answer to PQ on Investigation into Dormitory Operators Who Allowed Packed Food for Migrant Workers to be Left Unattended in the Open

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1856 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 21 APR 2023

QUESTION NO. 4463 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

To ask the Minister for Manpower in each year of the past five years (a) how many dormitory operators have been investigated for allowing packed food for migrant workers to be left unattended in the open; and (b) how many of these companies have been issued (i) warning letters (ii) compound fines and (iii) prosecuted in court, respectively.

Answer:

1. MOM has not received complaints that resulted in enforcement actions in the last 5 years. However, in the course of our regular inspections, MOM inspectors have come across food storage and drop-off points that fall short of our expectations and dormitory operators have been instructed to make the improvements. These include ensuring that food storage points are adequate and sheltered. Dormitory operators took immediate action to make the needed improvements and no enforcement action was needed.

2. MOM is investigating the cases that were reported recently in the media. We will take the necessary enforcement actions if there are serious breaches of regulations that require dormitory operators’ to ensure their residents’ access to safe catered food.

3. Dormitory residents with food-related issues can approach MOM’s Forward Assurance and Support Team (FAST) officers on site or report the issues via the FWMOMCare mobile application. MOM will follow up with the relevant dormitory operator and employer to rectify the issues. In serious cases, MOM
will take appropriate enforcement action.