SINGAPORE: Before allowing new non-Malaysian work permit holders into Singapore, employers in three sectors must provide evidence of tolerable housing, according to migrant worker advocacy groups.
However, some of the organizations claimed that ongoing checks are required to make sure that employees continue to stay at the designated accommodations and that the accommodations’ conditions haven’t gotten worse.
The Ministry of Manpower ( MOM ) announced on Monday( Sep 11) that the requirement, which applies to the construction, marine shipyard, and process sectors, will begin on September 19.
In response to CNA’s inquiries, MOM stated on Wednesday that dormitories are fully operational due to the rise in labor force holders entering Singapore and the need to service the field. It also stated that more immigrant employees are being housed in non-dorm rooms.
Fine FIRST STEP, NEED MORE CHECKS
Requiring companies to provide evidence of occupancy is a good first stage, but more needs to be done, according to Ms. Dipa Swaminathan, the leader of the nonprofit ItsRainingRuincoats
It’s unquestionably a step in the right direction, in my opinion. She told CNA,” I’m pretty happy that MOM is actively considering the living arrangements of the immigrant workers who will be moving to Singapore.
She continued,” My only problem in this situation is that there needs to be ongoing checking because it’s very simple to provide MOM with evidence of the workers’ housing, which looks excellent, respectable, and clean and provides wonderful living conditions.”
Who can say, however, that( it) won’t change a month after the workers arrive here?
According to Ms. Dipa, different employees may be relocated into the hotel in addition to the employees. While regulations are a” first start ,” she continued, there needs to be” continuous monitoring” of migrant workers’ housing.
Greater clarity is required, according to Transient Workers Count Too ( TWC2 ), regarding how authorities make sure that employees reside at the designated accommodation.
Greater protection is actually late and always pleasant. However, we have not yet seen specifics regarding the verification procedure and how, for instance, MOM will guarantee that the employees may actually be staying at the spot specified by the employers, according to TWC2 president Debbie Fordyce.
There” seems to be little preventing companies from moving employees to a cheaper hotel once the employee has entered the country ,” she continued.
More verification checks, including in-person inspections, may be carried out for non-dormitory housing, such as private residential units, MOM informed CNA. This is done to make sure they are not crowded and that the necessary paperwork is in purchase.
According to the ministry,” MOM will continue to conduct unannounced inspections in dorms and additional housing types to make sure employees are housed in secure and appropriate cover and at the residential names specified by their businesses.”