SINGAPORE: Foreign workers' dormitories in Singapore
could be accredited from next year, as the industry rolls out plans
to raise dormitory standards and living
conditions.
The newly formed Dormitory Association of Singapore
is putting the scheme in place after releasing a set of benchmarks
for dormitory housing on Monday.
The association represents 11 owners and operators
of foreign workers' dormitories, which collectively provide more
than 100,000 bed spaces or 70 per cent of dormitory spaces in
Singapore.
There are 39 approved commercial dormitories for foreign workers as
of November 2012.
The benchmarks aim to improve the living conditions in dormitory
housing. They cover general living facilities, sanitation, storage
and cooking facilities.
The benchmarks were drawn up by the association, the Migrant
Workers' Centre and authorities.
Within the next three to six months, the Dormitory Association of
Singapore plans to accredit accommodations which adhere to these
standards, with the support of the Manpower Ministry and the
Migrant Workers' Centre.
The association's secretary-general Simon Lee said he hopes
authorities will consider using the accreditation scheme as a
licensing condition for all operators.
"Hotel operators need a hotel licence to operate. Dormitory
operators currently don't. They do need to meet all the
authorities' regulations, but the management of it is actually up
to individuals. So we hope that in time to come, we would have some
scheme in place to actually let the industry know that this is the
standard," he said.
The association added that those accredited would be able to reap
benefits such as the pooling of resources.
Other than the regular monitoring of dormitories, chairman of the
Migrant Workers' Centre Yeo Guat Kwang said that it is important
the association targets smaller operators as well.
The group also plans to work with the authorities to get more land
for housing.
"At the moment, roughly we are able to meet the needs for
accommodation for work permit holders. The plan for the future will
depend very much on whether the number of foreign workers increases
substantially," said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower
Hawazi Daipi.
- CNA/jc
