Coming nearer to residential areas: dorms for foreign workers

July 22, 2008

Coming nearer to residential areas: dorms for foreign workers

New dormitory sites for foreign workers may be located nearer residential areas as Singapore becomes more built up, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.

In his written reply to a question from Sembawang GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak in Parliament on Monday, Mr Mah urged Singaporeans to be more understanding and accommodating as 'foreign workers are here to contribute to our economic growth.'

'We should accept their presence in our midst,' he added.

Since February 2007, he said 11 new dormitory sites, providing some 65,000 additional bed spaces, have been released. These will be completed in stages by 2010.

Among these are vacant government buildings that will be converted into transitional dorms to meet the immediate demand for dormitory facilities in the next one to two years, while more permanent dormitories are being developed.

For the new permanent dormitories, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) will require tenderers to provide a range of amenities within the sites.

Apart from adequate living space, they may come with facilities such as mini-marts, barber shop, remittance services, TV room and sports facilities. This will help to make the dormitories more attractive and self-contained, said Mr Mah.

'Given that Singapore is becoming more built up, it will be an increasing challenge to find suitable sites for foreign workers. Residents may find more foreign workers living in their midst, or dormitory sites located near to their premises,' he said.

'We hope that Singaporeans will be more understanding and accommodating in this aspect. Foreign workers are here to contribute to our economic growth.'

Employers and dormitory operators must also play a part in educating the foreign workers on the social norms and way of life in Singapore, and ensuring that the workers are properly housed, added Mr Mah.



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