UNPAID FOREIGN WORKERS

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UNPAID FOREIGN WORKERS:

(Risk of crime): 6.

Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what steps are being taken to pre-empt foreign workers who have not been paid wages from turning to crime; and (b) what the Ministry is doing to provide security to residents living near foreign workers' dormitories housing abandoned or unpaid foreign workers who may be tempted to turn to crime.

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The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, while we can appreciate the sense of insecurity felt by some residents as a result of the presence of foreign workers living nearby, let me say that this sense of insecurity is based more on perception rather than reality. The fact is that foreigners generally commit fewer crimes than locals. In 2007, the overall arrest rate, ie, number of persons arrested for every 100,000 in the population was 407. The arrest rate for foreigners at 279 was much lower than the figure of 456 for Singapore residents. Indeed, the arrest rate for work permit holders, which is the focus of Ms Lee's question, was even lower, at 217 per 100,000 work permit holders.

Moreover, Sir, we should not conclude that foreign workers with contractual disputes with employers will naturally turn to crime. Indeed, these workers would be familiar with our strict laws and social norms. When they first arrive here, they would have received a guide book produced by MOM in nine languages, providing information on key laws and norms, and also reminding them to be law abiding during their stay here.

In addition, the Singapore Police Force has ongoing programmes to engage the foreign workers' community, leveraging on the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP). Foreign workers themselves are co-opted to address crime and security concerns. Currently, there are 18 such CSSP projects which have received positive feedback. Basically, involving foreign workers in CSSP projects, increases the eyes and ears in our neighbourhoods, as they are more aware of suspicious activities that should be reported to the police.

Besides these community engagement measures, police also conducts frequent

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visits to foreign workers' dormitories to project police presence. At the same time, police also work with dormitory operators so that they would have a good idea of what is happening in the dormitories, and are aware of any potential law and order issues. Indeed, many of these operators also engage their own security officers to maintain good behaviour by the foreign workers.

Er Lee Bee Wah: Sir, during my recent visit to the Teachers' Estate, which is very close to Tagore Industrial Park, we received a number of feedback from the residents. Very often, they see foreign workers loitering around Teachers' Estate, and the foreign workers also approach residents for jobs. Therefore, there is this sense of insecurity. I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether the police step up more patrols in residential areas, which are near to a foreign workers' dormitory? And does our Police Force have sufficient manpower to carry out these patrols?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, in regard to the incident that Ms Lee has indicated, in terms of foreign workers, I think it is more a question of social disamenity that is being caused – they loiter around. They are visible but they do not commit crime. Some of them, in fact, may engage in anti-social behaviour. The key point to note is that it is not a law and order problem; it is not a crime problem. That is why I mentioned just now that whilst police can be involved, the key really is that the community is involved, and indeed, like some dormitory operators do, they engage auxiliary police or security officers. This is something which I think we have to face in Singapore. And employers can play a part too, to advise and to see that the foreign workers do not to loiter around in areas that may cause anxiety to others.