Smaller contractors may be hit harder by new requirement for suitable accommodation 

SMALLER contractors may be disproportionately affected by new Ministry of Manpower rules that require employers to provide proof of acceptable accommodation before they can bring new non-Malaysian work permit holders into Singapore.

The new requirement, which takes effect from Tuesday (Sep 19), comes as dormitories are fully occupied after the number of work permit holders surpassed pre-Covid levels in July.

In response to media queries, the Ministry of Manpower said the number of residents in non-dormitory types of accommodation, such as private residences and hostels, has risen quickly in recent months. Pre-housing checks will allow authorities to see if these forms of accommodation are indeed acceptable, it said.