FOREIGN WORKERS IN HDB ESTATES

FOREIGN WORKERS IN HDB ESTATES:

(Integration programmes): 2.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Acting Minister for Manpower given that there is an increase in the number of foreigners being housed in HDB housing estates: (a) how can we ensure that foreigners comply with good housekeeping and security standards; (b) how are orientation and induction programmes carried out for these foreigners living in the midst of our heartland estates; and (c) what special programmes are being organised to socialise and integrate these foreigners.

The Acting Minister for Manpower (Mr Gan Kim Yong): Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Minister for National Development has explained, foreign workers make a significant contribution to our economic growth and, indeed, we do face a shortage of these workers today. Therefore, I think it is more important for us to have sufficient housing capacity to accommodate foreign workers here, while reducing the impact on residents. We do this in several ways.

First, we work through the landlords or dormitory operators. HDB flat owners who wish to sublet their whole flat must apply to HDB for approval. They must ensure that their tenants maintain and upkeep the flat and avoid causing nuisance and disamenities to others. If their tenants do not comply with these conditions, HDB will revoke the approval. HDB conducts half-yearly flat inspections for approved subletting cases to ensure that the subletting is in order. For dormitory operators, we require them to provide basic amenities and recreational facilities within the dormitories, to minimise the need for foreign workers to leave the dormitories. We have also broadened the range of amenities, in response to ground feedback.

Second, we reach out to foreign workers to educate them on Singapore's laws and social norms. For example, MOM produces a guidebook in nine languages for distribution to all foreign workers when they arrive in Singapore. The Police has also produced posters and a video in various languages to enhance crime prevention awareness among foreign workers here. These are shown at dormitory roadshows and other events involving foreign workers. NEA has also stepped up educational outreach to foreign workers on public health issues, including putting up banners in the native languages of the foreign workers at areas where they gather and broadcasting anti-littering messages in the buses that ferry foreign workers. Where necessary, the Police and NEA have stepped up enforcement efforts to deter crime and public health offences.

Third, we engage and involve the community. Under the Community Safety and Security Programme, the Police appoint foreign workers as Crime Prevention Ambassadors in residential areas near dormitories. These ambassadors perform foot patrols together with grassroots volunteers to deter crime and socially irresponsible acts near their dormitories. The People's Association's grassroots organisations, such as Community Clubs and Residents' Committees, also organise community activities to promote understanding among residents. During community events, exhibition booths are set up with messages on harmonious living.

MOM and other Government agencies will continue to work with local communities to address their concerns about the presence of foreign workers in the community. By working together in partnership, we can make our communities a better place for Singaporeans, as well as foreigners who are here.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar): Sir, I come from a veteran estate where foreign workers are a common sight, and I have worked on many of the strategies that the Minister has spoken about. I thank the Minister for the slew of strategies that are explained. I do believe, however, the configuration of the strategies is very important. For example, education, posters and banners may not work as effectively for the foreign workers who are normally transient in nature.

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister to consider two more aggressive strategies, one of which is the use or deployment of a budget to hire, for example, uniformed patrol – not necessary armed – to regularly patrol the residential areas to deter, counsel and educate the foreign workers at the void decks regarding their undesirable behaviours.

The second strategy is to place greater accountability on the employers themselves so that they will be responsible for errant workers, and not just have the grassroots, the community or the Police handle all the errant behaviour. Sir, I would like to ask the Minister to consider these more aggressive short-term strategies, besides the long-term ones.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Sir, I would like to thank Ms Denise Phua for the suggestions. We will look into the suggestions that she has pointed out. Some of the strategies and practices will differ from area to area, depending on the conditions on the ground. It is also important for us to engage the community to better understand the concerns of the residents, and we will develop programmes and strategies to cater to the needs of the respective areas where such problems occur.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo: Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether his Ministry is aware of the kind of issues brought about by foreign workers living in the midst of our local residents. Is there an inter-agency body that would seriously consider all the inputs and views brought up and that would also represent the views of the local residents as well as the local grassroots organisations?

When social behaviour is an issue, and because of the congestion that we face in living in the locality, would the Minister, together with the Ministry of National Development, consider, for example, floating dormitories on water? And since we are bursting at the seams, is there a possibility for us to rent space, maybe across the border, from our good neighbour, Johor, to build dormitories?

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Mr Speaker, Sir, from the way the questions were answered between MOM and MND, it goes to show that it is a multi-agency concern with regard to the provision of housing for foreign workers. Therefore, indeed, a multi-agency committee co-chaired by MOM and MND has been set up since 2006 to oversee the overall provision of housing, social and recreational facilities for foreign workers here.

With regard to the proposal for floating dormitories, as well as other alternatives across the border, I think these are issues which we will leave to the Ministry of National Development to consider.

Er Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether landed properties, such as terrace and semi-detached houses, are allowed to be used to house foreign workers. They do not come under HDB. Which department regulates them? And is there any limit on the number of workers to be housed in such houses?

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Mr Speaker, Sir, again, this is really for MND to answer. But I will answer it and, hopefully, MND agrees with me. [ Laughter ].

I think residential properties are allowed to be used to accommodate, on a restricted basis, foreign workers. I think for properties that accommodate more than eight foreign workers, they will have to be dormitories. But for those casual letting of space for foreign workers on a smaller scale, they are allowed under URA.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: Sir, there seems to be a stark 'us and them' mentality at play here. Can I ask the Acting Minister whether he agrees that, in fact, Singaporeans are not very different from foreign workers here, except that Singapore has advanced within the last 40-50 years from a third-world country to a first-world country, whereas the foreign workers come from countries which still remain as third-world countries? Yet, 40-50 years ago, Singaporeans had the same low level of skills and education, and our social behaviour was no better than the foreign workers that we have with us today.

Can I ask the Minister whether we should do more to educate Singaporeans that foreign workers are indeed a very integral part of our society in terms of helping us grow? And while we might want to make sure that they do not cause our social fabric to fray, we have to regard them as really our guests.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Mr Speaker, Sir, Ms Irene Ng raised a very important point and I would like to take this opportunity to share my views on this issue.

I think it is important for us to understand that Singaporeans do have concerns when the community is getting more crowded than before, not just because there are foreign workers, but because the sheer number has increased. At the same time, we also understand that some of these foreign workers come from different backgrounds and cultures, have different traditions and practices and, some have different religions as well.

The lifestyle of these foreign workers and our locals are different, and we have to also understand the stress and the tension between the locals and the foreign workers who are here. The tension and concern, to some extent, are real and we can find solutions to address these concerns. But it is also important, like Ms Irene Ng pointed out, that we should also find ways to increase our ability to be more inclusive. I think there is capacity to do so. Singaporeans, by and large, are very inclusive. We can encourage and appeal to their inclusiveness within them and, hopefully, over time, we will be able to work together among all the stakeholders – the employers, the foreign workers as well as Singaporeans together with grassroots organisations, the community, and the Government agencies. We can work together to improve the overall environment to make Singapore more inclusive, at the same time understand the stress and the tension that exist, and find solutions to address these issues where we can.