MOM establishes new entity to build and operate two foreign worker dormitories, latest news from Singapore

A limited liability company guaranteed by the Ministry of Labor (MOM) will be established by the end of 2022 to build and own two dedicated dormitories for foreign workers.

The company not only operates dormitories with selected partners as testbeds for innovation in foreign worker accommodation, but also explores how migrant workers live and work and how operators help the ministry better understand how to manage dormitories in

To enable these efforts, the ministry will establish a new entity called Nest Singapore, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022. Nest is an acronym for Nurture, Engage, Support, and Transform.

Two dedicated dormitories were built on Tucan Innovation Lane in Jurong on Saturday.

Minister of Manpower Thanh Si Ren said in a speech at the event:

The Tukang Dormitory, which is scheduled to start operating in 2025, will have a capacity of 2,400 beds.

Another dormitory at Sengkang West is scheduled to begin operations in 2028 with 7,200 beds.

A MOM spokesman told reporters the ministry currently has no plans to build more dormitories. Its main purpose is to encourage innovation by sharing best practices it has developed with industry through the issuance of guidelines and regulations.

Both dormitories will be built Improved standards for new dormitories built after September 2021 Dr. Tan aims to strengthen public health resilience and livability.

These include more spacious and well-ventilated rooms with occupancy and private toilets, modular spaces and segmented communal facilities.

Tukang dormitory occupies 1.14 hectares (slightly larger than 1.5 times the size of a football field) and houses 200 rooms, each with up to 12 workers, and a dedicated kitchen and kitchen for up to 120 residents. It has a common area.

The ministry will also introduce features beyond what improved standards require to test new ways to reduce the risk of transmitting infectious diseases and improve lives.

These include high ceilings to improve ventilation and increase occupant comfort, and private laundry facilities to reduce commingling in common areas.

There are larger recreational spaces, such as gyms, multipurpose spaces, and sports courts, which can be repurposed as medical or isolation facilities in the event of future disease outbreaks, Dr. Tang said.

But “physical infrastructure alone cannot change the communal living conditions of migrant workers.”

Improving the lifestyles of these workers and fostering a sense of hope and community is also important, he said.

To that end, the ministry is developing new solutions such as an integrated technology platform that enables virtual training programs for migrant workers, video conferencing capabilities for convenient communication within housing communities, and one-stop access to services within dormitories. groping

“We will also look at ways to encourage health-seeking behavior in the population to rapidly facilitate upstream interventions and support.”

Dr Tan also said MOM intends to work closely with dormitory residents and community partners, such as non-governmental organizations, to jointly develop recreational programs and other meaningful activities that nurture the community.

MOM joined the fray for two reasons. It is to promote innovation and practice change in migrant worker housing and enhance the Ministry’s capacity in dormitory management.

Dr Tan said:

He also said the ministry’s Assurance, Care and Engagement Group, which supports the welfare of migrant workers, has worked closely with dormitory operators for the past two years to organize celebratory events and recreational activities within the dormitories. said.

Dr Tan said the experience has enabled the ministry to better understand and empathize with the lives and working practices of migrant workers and how operators manage the dormitories.

“So Nest’s setup is to operate two new purpose-built dormitories directly with the private sector, which will allow us to go one step further.”