Written Answer to PQ on Employers Guidelines and Obligations in Providing Acceptable Accommodation and Adequate Food for Work Permit

NOTICE PAPER 626 OF 2026 FOR A SITTING ON OR AFTER 12 JANUARY 2026
QUESTION NO. 47 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Dr Hamid Razak

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will publish concrete guidelines on employers’ obligations to provide acceptable accommodation and adequate food to Work Permit holders, particularly when workers have pending Employment Claims Tribunal cases or Work Injury Compensation claims.

Answer:

The Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations stipulates that employers are responsible for the upkeep of Work Permit holders who are awaiting resolution and payment of any statutory claims. This includes the provision of acceptable accommodation and food.

2. MOM takes a proactive approach of checking with these Work Permit holders to ensure they have adequate food and acceptable accommodation throughout their claims process. Errant employers may face financial penalties of up to $10,000.