Encouraging Dormitory Operators to Provide Migrant Workers with At Least 3.6 Square Metres of Living Space Each

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower what steps will the Ministry take to encourage operators of foreign worker dormitories to provide workers with living space exceeding the requirement of 3.6 square metres set out in the interim standards for dormitories by 2030.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has set out New Dormitory Standards, which include the living space benchmark of at least 4.2 square metres per resident. These standards will apply by 2040 as part of the multi-year effort to improve living conditions for dormitory residents. However, MOM recognises that some dormitories will not be able to move directly to these standards within a short timeframe for various reasons, such as infrastructural and business constraints. A nuanced approach to creating larger living space per resident is needed to smoothen excessive reductions in bed supply which could result in marked increases in bed prices to employers. Therefore, MOM introduced interim standards that will apply by 2030 and a Dormitory Transition Scheme to support the progressive transition of existing dormitories. When dormitories plan for their transitions to meet the interim standards, they are encouraged to consider adopting features of the New Dormitory Standards as they will need to comply with them by 2040.

Good designs can significantly enhance the liveability of dormitories beyond just increasing the size of living spaces. Design innovation is particularly key to Singapore as we are small in size with a high population density. To this end, MOM is undertaking the effort and cost to pilot innovative design features to enhance the liveability of dormitories through the two upcoming MOM-owned Purpose-Built Dormitories, with the aim of demonstrating and disseminating best practices to the rest of the industry.