Tighter rules ahead for large worker dorms

Singapore

THE Manpower Ministry (MOM) on Tuesday paved the way for additional regulations to be imposed on large purpose-built dormitories - those housing 1,000 or more foreign workers - with the tabling of the Foreign Employee Dormitories Bill.

If the Bill is passed, all such dorms - current and upcoming - will have to be licensed in the second half of 2015, with each licence valid for up to three years. At present, 50 purpose-built dorms collectively provide about 200,000 beds.

Under the draft law, dorm operators and proprietors will have to follow additional rules in three areas - management of public health and safety, management of security and public order and the provision and maintenance of social and commercial facili…