Written Answer to PQ on Safety of Migrant Workers related to alcohol consumption
NOTICE PAPER NO. 2868 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 2 JULY 2024
QUESTION NO. 6204 FOR ORAL ANSWER
MP: Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui
To ask 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.
NOTICE PAPER NO. 2869 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 2 JULY 2024
QUESTION NO. 6213 FOR ORAL ANSWER
MP: Ms Foo Mee Har
To ask 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.
Answer:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 NGO 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.