Rest Areas in Commercial Buildings for Cleaners and Security Guards

Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for National Development if the Ministry will consider implementing a requirement for commercial properties to have dedicated enclosed rest areas for cleaners and security guards to facilitate privacy for these workers during their short breaks at work for rest and meals.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The Tripartite Advisory on Best Sourcing Practices in January 2012 encourages service buyers of cleaning and security services to outsource responsibly and adopt best practices when doing so.

The Advisory mentioned that in addition to meeting the basic workplace safety and health standards, service buyers could provide workers with adequate workplace amenities at the deployment sites, such as washroom facilities, decent rest area for meals and first aid, so that workers will be able to perform their work well and provide better services in a conducive environment.

The relevant agencies, such as MND, MOM, MEWR and MHA, are open to studying whether to require rest areas be provided in commercial properties and how to do so for cleaners and security guards.