Advisory to employers on providing upkeep and maintenance of foreign workers living in dormitories

Issued on 30 August 2020

1. The Ministry of Manpower has received feedback about employers who failed to pay for rental and arrange for meals for their foreign workers living in dormitories.
2. We would like to remind employers that they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their foreign workers in Singapore even after their Work Permits have been cancelled. They must continue to provide the workers with acceptable accommodation, medical treatment, food and access to daily supplies.
3. Employers are to pay rent promptly to their dormitory operators and landlords according to the rental contracts or tenancy agreements. If the rental contracts or tenancy agreements are expiring soon, employers should renew the existing contract or arrange to re-house their workers in other acceptable accommodation.
4. Employers who have hired caterers to provide food should ensure that the cooked meals are safe to eat and sent to the workers on time. In cases where the dormitory operators are providing food to the workers on the employers’ behalf, employers must pay the dormitory operators accordingly.
5. Employers who fail to fulfil these responsibilities would be in breach of the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations 2012. The Controller of Work Passes can disallow them from hiring new or renewing existing foreign workers. They may also have their security bonds forfeited.