MOM rolls out stricter rules for large worker dormitories

Hefty fines await erring operators.

The Ministry of Manpower moved to impose tighter regulations on large worker dormitories by introducing the Foreign Employee Dormitories Bill in Parliament yesterday.

Under the bill, dormitories with 1,000 or more beds will be required to obtain a licence, in addition to complying with all existing regulatory standards. This means that all current and upcoming PBDs will have to be licensed in 2015.

Each license will be valid for up to three years and will mandate the management of public health and safety issues; management of security and public order issues, and provision and maintenance of social and commercial facilities and services. 

The maximum penalty for operating an unlicensed dormitory is a fine of up to $500,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. For a repeat offence, the penalties are doubled to a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of up to four years.

These penalties apply to operators as well as proprietors who knowingly allow their premises to be used as unlicensed dormitories. 

According to the MOM, “Given the unique complexities and risks in managing larger dormitories, there is a need for tighter controls to be imposed on them as more of these are completed and start operations over the next few years. These dormitories carry a greater risk in the event of mismanagement, for instance during a public order incident or an infectious disease outbreak." 

"They also have a greater impact on surrounding communities. Dormitory residents may also impose additional loading on the local transport network or contribute to overcrowding at shared communal facilities in the vicinity. Such larger dormitories have the scale to implement amenities and facilities such as outdoor recreation spaces, to address such concerns,” the MOM added.