Singapore's factory-converted dorms to follow 4 new conditions

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced four new conditions that operators of factory-converted dormitories (FCDs) must meet for approval or renewal to use their industrial premises to house foreign workers.

Effective 1 January 2017, these are the conditions that must be met on top of existing ones:

• Provision of feedback channel for workers to report issues related to the housing conditions.
• Provision of personal locker for each worker.
• Provision of at least one sick bay in the FCD. Alternatively, the operator can develop a contingency plan to deal with cases of infectious diseases.
• Provision of Wi-Fi within the FCD.

Operators have to submit documentary proof to show they have met all the conditions. MOM will conduct regular inspections and will take enforcement action against operators who fail to meet or adhere to these conditions.

The new conditions were announced at an FCD seminar, where Minister of State for Manpower Teo Ser Luck, who oversees foreign manpower management matters, delivered an opening address.

He spoke: "Foreign workers make important contributions across so many different jobs and capacities in various sectors. It is only right that we ensure they are well taken care of while they work here."

"It is timely now to strengthen the regulatory requirements to further improve the living conditions of the workers in FCDs," he added, calling out the role of the dormitory operators.

He also announced that MOM is planning to introduce a dormitory awards initiative to commend exemplary FCDs and purpose-built dormitories. More details will be revealed in due course.

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