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MOM calls on factory converted dormitory operators to raise housing standards

Foreign manpower

 

  1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is calling on operators of Factory Converted Dormitories (FCDs) to raise housing standards, and improve the housing conditions of foreign workers.  

    MOM’s Efforts to Ensure Housing Standards are Met
  2. Factory Converted Dormitories is one type of approved housing for foreign workers in Singapore.  FCD operators, like other dormitory operators, have a legal obligation to ensure that they provide their resident workers with a safe and secure living environment. An estimated 80,000 foreign workers live in FCDs currently.
  3. Over the past year, MOM had pro-actively engaged FCD operators, educating them on basic housing requirements and urging operators to meet these standards. MOM had also provided FCD operators with a self-audit checklist, in addition to regular bulletins to draw their attention to good and bad practices within the industry.
  4. MOM’s engagement efforts are complemented by inspection on all FCDs.  Where basic standards are found to be lacking, MOM will take appropriate enforcement action against the dormitory operators.

    Continuous Efforts to Raise Housing Standards
  5. On 1 August 2016, Minister of State (MOS) for Manpower, Teo Ser Luck, who oversees foreign manpower management matters, joined MOM’s Housing Inspectorate on a visit to a FCD operated by ASL Shipyard Pte Ltd. During the visit, MOS Teo engaged the dormitory operator, to understand the day-to-day challenges of managing a FCD.
  6. Reflecting on his visit, MOS Teo said, “FCD operators have a duty to provide decent accommodation for workers.  The workers deserve a proper place to stay after a hard day’s work. I am heartened to note that many FCD operators take this responsibility seriously.  MOM will continue with our engagement and enforcement efforts to ensure this.  The Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) had recently suggested to MOM that more can be done to encourage FCD operators to raise housing standards.  We are looking into MWC’s suggestions.”
  7. MOS Teo will be meeting FCD operators in an upcoming seminar on 24 August 2016 to discuss dormitory management issues. The session will cover regulatory housing standards and good practices which MOM has observed during inspections.