ACCOMMODATION FOR FOREIGN WORKERS

Column: 1203

ACCOMMODATION FOR FOREIGN WORKERS: 10.

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether he will consider a requirement for employers of foreign workers to show proof of accommodation that will be provided for their workers before they are issued with work permits to ensure appropriate housing for the workers; (b) what is the number of workers who have been found to be housed in inappropriate accommodation in the last three years; and (c) whether heavier sentences, such as longer jail terms, can be imposed on errant employers to deter repeat offenders.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Manpower (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Manpower): Sir, employers are already required to register their foreign workers’ accommodation address with MOM before they can collect their Work Permit cards. The address registration system will reject the registration if the address is known to be

Column: 1204

unapproved. Falsely declaring an address is an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, and offenders may be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to $15,000, or both.

Between 2007 and 2009, MOM relocated about 27,400 foreign workers into acceptable accommodation. Enforcement actions were also taken against the employers for failing to provide acceptable accommodation. There are severe penalties for such offences. Employers may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months or both, for each worker found to be housed in unacceptable accommodation. In addition, errant employers are also barred from hiring foreign workers for a period of time.

We do press for stiffer penalties against employers who repeatedly fail to provide acceptable accommodation for their foreign workers.

Mr Christopher de Souza: Thank you, Senior Parliamentary Secretary. Firstly, what is the definition of unacceptable accommodation? Are the employers told beforehand the requirements that have to be met for the accommodation? Secondly, is there a reduction in the quota of foreign workers that they can employ in future, if they have been charged and found guilty in court for providing unacceptable accommodation?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, the employers will have to comply with the requirements of the various agencies – MOM, HDB, URA, JTC, BCA, SCDF, NEA and PUB. They are told and should know what they need to do to meet the requirements of the various agencies.

On the second question, it depends on the severity of the offence. The employers may be barred for a period of time from employing and applying for a new work permit and renewing the work permits of their existing workers.

Column: 1205

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the law is in place and the penalty is serious, why are there still so many workers found in inappropriate accommodation? Could the Senior Parliamentary Secretary share whether MOM should step up enforcement? Why is it that with enforcement, we still have this problem?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: I am glad to report that enforcement has been stepped up since 2009, and we have noticed that the number of complaints we received since 2009 has declined. This may reflect the fact that the errant employers have been taken to task and there are fewer cases of abuses and unacceptable accommodation for foreign workers. As to why some employers still break the rules, our job is to ensure that foreign workers in Singapore are well taken care of in terms of their accommodation needs and employers must comply with the requirements of the various agencies.

Mdm Halimah Yacob: Sir, the crux of the problem is actually a mismatch in demand and supply. There is a severe shortage of housing for foreign workers partly because of the huge influx of foreign workers in the last few years. May I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary what measures are being taken in order to address this issue? Employers are also complaining that they are not able to get accommodation and the cost has also gone up tremendously.

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, employers have various avenues to house their foreign workers. There are purpose-built dormitories which meet the needs of most of the foreign workers in Singapore. They can house their foreign workers in converted factories, in housing estates and in private dwellings. Currently, the various agencies are also working together to build purpose-built dormitories, and MPs have been consulted about the construction of these dormitories.

There should be sufficient

Column: 1206

supply to meet the demands of most employers.

Mr Christopher de Souza: Sir, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary said that employers would have to fulfil the requirements of multi-agencies like MOM and PUB. Are the employers actually told in black and white terms exactly what they have to do, in terms of the ratio of bedding space per worker, sinks per worker, etc? If it was incumbent on them to find out from the different agencies, they will be very confused.

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, we expect employers to know these because the requirements are in black and white and made known to employers. The ratio space to people or people to space is well known. For an area of a certain size, how many beds should there be, or that the cooking area must meet the requirements of SCDF are made known to the employers. I would say that employers who want to bring in foreign workers must remember they have to take care of the welfare of the foreign workers in many aspects. Accommodation is one important aspect; salary payment is another. The need for recreation is also very important. Any employer who wants to bring in foreign workers to work for them in Singapore must understand and know the requirements that they must meet. They better get good advice and get the right information from the various agencies to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the authorising agencies.