HOUSING AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF FOREIGN WORKERS

HOUSING AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF FOREIGN WORKERS

61.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng asked the Minister for National Development in light of the expanding local economy and a need for more foreign workers, how does his Ministry intend to meet the housing and recreational needs of foreign workers in Singapore.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The Member is right that demand for foreign workers, to augment the local workforce, is rising in tandem with our continuing economic growth, particularly in sectors such as construction. Housing our foreign workers in proper accommodation is a multi-faceted issue which requires the efforts of many different ministries and agencies. Hence, a Foreign Worker Housing Coordinating Committee, co-chaired by MOM and MND, and involving the various agencies, had been set up since early 2006 to look into this issue.

There are currently a variety of housing options available to foreign workers. For example, workers from factories, services sector, and marine sector may stay in residential areas or within approved dormitories set up within factory premises or on independent sites. Foreign construction workers may stay in quarters within the construction site, or in workers' dormitories.

To meet the housing needs of more foreign workers, we are in the process of releasing more sites for operators to build workers' dormitories, especially for foreign construction workers. Guidelines have also been reviewed to allow off-site workers to reside in workers’ dormitories located within an industrial or warehouse development.

In releasing new sites for workers’ dormitories, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will require successful tenderers to provide a range of amenities within the dormitory sites. Apart from adequate living space for the workers, the dormitories will be required to have mini-marts, barber, remittance services etc. These amenities will make the dormitories attractive and self-contained, insofar as daily living and recreational needs are concerned.

However, given that Singapore is becoming more built up, it will be a challenge to find suitable sites for workers’ dormitories. Increasingly therefore, residents may find more foreign workers living in their midst, or dormitory sites located near to their premises.

Notwithstanding the facilities provided within the dormitories, it is inevitable that foreign workers will go outside their dormitories and make use of common facilities within the area. We hope that Singaporeans will be more understanding and accommodating in this aspect. Foreign workers are here to contribute to our economic growth. Besides working here, they may be living near us or eating next to us in the hawker centres. We should accept their presence in our midst. Employers and dormitory operators must also play a part in educating the foreign workers on our culture and way of life. Better provision of facilities and greater controls, as well as greater mutual understanding, will go a long way to addressing the housing and recreational needs of foreign workers in Singapore.