Written Answer by Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on curtailment of foreign worker dormitory operators' ability to impose rules on their residents' freedom of movement

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1549 OF 2022 FOR THE SITTING ON 28 NOVEMBER 2022
QUESTION NO. 2440 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Leon Perera

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has any restrictions on foreign worker dormitory operators’ ability to impose rules on dormitory residents’ freedom of movement; and (b) if not, whether it will consider curtailing dormitory operators’ powers to protect dormitory residents’ leisure options.

Answer:

1 Dormitory operators for migrant workers are not allowed to impose rules that prevent their residents from leaving the dormitories for leisure, unless expressly instructed by the Commissioner to do so in specific limited circumstances, such as to protect the safety or health of residents.

2 The Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Forward Assurance and Support Teams (FAST) regularly engage migrant workers to identify and resolve any issues of concern as well as to ensure dormitory operators comply with regulatory requirements. If any dormitory resident faces any issue with movement restrictions imposed by a dormitory operator, he can approach his employer, MOM, or report the case via the FWMOMCare mobile application. MOM will assist and follow-up with the dormitory operator.