Employers to provide proof of acceptable lodging for new non-Malaysian work permit holders

FROM Sep 19, employers in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors will need to provide proof of acceptable accommodation before they are permitted to bring new non-Malaysian work permit holders into Singapore.

This will be on top of work permit approval, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on Monday (Sep 11). It noted that the documentary proof required should come in the form of tenancy or rental agreements, or contracts with accommodation providers.

The new requirement comes as work permit holders in these sectors surpassed pre-Covid levels by 19 per cent in July, as MOM facilitates the entry of such workers to catch up on projects delayed due to the pandemic.

This led to full occupancies at dormitories and a rising number of migrant workers being housed in non-dormitory accommodation, MOM said, adding that the government has been working with the industry to increase dormitory bed supply.

The additional requirement applies to new work permit holders, or those with in-principle approval, arriving in Singapore from Sep 19.

Approvals will be granted once the required checks are done, which include onboard centre bookings to ensure registered workers have had their accommodation details verified.

MOM said employers housing their workers in purpose-built dormitories, construction temporary quarters (CTQs), temporary occupation licence quarters (TOLQs) or their own dormitories should expect approvals within a week.

Meanwhile, those housing their workers in private residential properties, hotels or hostels may take six weeks or longer to get approval due to additional checks.

The ministry will expedite approval for workers living in accommodations built by employers such as CTQs, TOLQs and factory-converted dormitories as the verification process is faster.

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“We also urge employers to put in place productivity measures to reduce their reliance on foreign workers,” MOM said.

It cautioned that employers who bring their workers into Singapore without the required proof of accommodation may face suspension of their work pass privileges.