Funding Allocated to and Annual Operating and Construction Costs of NESST Singapore Limited for Dormitory Operations

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how much funding has the Government provided to NESST Singapore Limited (NESST); (b) what is the total cost of constructing NESST Tukang Dormitory; and (c) what is the estimated annual operating cost of NESST Tukang Dormitory.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Tukang Purpose-Built Dormitory (Tukang PBD) is built and owned by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) at a total construction cost of $58 million. NESST Singapore Limited (NESST) operates Tukang PBD and pays a monthly lease payment to MOM based on market valuation under a Government Build-Own-Lease arrangement.

MOM has provided about $6.2 million to NESST since its establishment in March 2023. The funding was provided to set up NESST as MOM's Company Limited by Guarantee in the initial years, as well as pilot innovations in migrant worker housing and grow capabilities in dormitory management.

We are unable to share commercially sensitive information about NESST, including Tukang PBD's operating costs.