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Written Answer to PQ by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng on Pilot Scheme Allowing Eligible Migrant Workers Living in Dormitories To Visit Little India and Potential Expansion of Scheme

Foreign manpower

NOTICE PAPER NO. 738 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON 5 OCTOBER 2021
QUESTION NO. 1200 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 

MP: Mr Leon Perera

To ask the Minister for Manpower regarding the pilot scheme allowing eligible migrant workers living in dormitories to visit Little India (a) what KPIs must be met before the scheme can be expanded to more migrant workers; (b) what is the timeline for expansion of the scheme; (c) what are the other locations being considered so that non-South Asian workers can benefit from such a scheme; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider accelerating the expansion of the scheme in view of existing safeguards to limit infections among vaccinated migrant workers.

Answer:

We are mindful that our migrant workers have not been able to visit the community for some time, and that it is important for their wellbeing that they be able to do so.

This month, we took a first step, in the form of a pilot, to allow 500 workers to visit the community each week so that we do not increase the risk of cross-transmission of COVID-19 infection between the dormitories and the community. We will draw lessons from the pilot so that we can expand the community visits in a way that is safe for our migrant workers and the community. We are looking into ways so that the visits can have broader appeal to more migrant workers. We are committed to continue easing the movement restrictions for migrant workers.