The Ama Keng Hostel, operated by Yeo’s Brother Management Pte Ltd, housed 50 foreign workers living in quarters that had unsanitary conditions, the MOM said. Photo: Google Maps
SINGAPORE — A foreign workers' dormitory has been shut down as a result of unsafe and unhygienic living conditions, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a press statement on Monday (Oct 2).
The Ama Keng Hostel, operated by Yeo’s Brother Management Private Limited, housed 50 foreign workers living in quarters that had unsanitary toilet conditions, the MOM said.
There were signs of cockroach infestation and breeding of mosquitoes and flies, as well as fire hazards in the workers’ quarters at the purpose-built dormitory situated at 25 Ama Keng Road.
“Such unsafe and unhygienic living conditions severely undermined the safety and well-being of the foreign workers,” said the statement.
Following an inspection, the MOM immediately ordered the dormitory operator to relocate the affected foreign workers to other approved accommodation. The dormitory also ceased its operations.
“In view of the poor living conditions of the dormitory, the accused company was denied a licence under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act.”
The dormitory operator was charged on Sept 28 and faces a total of 50 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). It can be fined up to S$10,000 for each charge if convicted.
The case will be heard in the State Courts on Oct 19.
The MOM said that it will not hesitate to take strong enforcement actions against dormitory operators who provide poor accommodation to their resident workers. Employers who contravene any of the conditions of the work pass will also be guilty of an offence under the EFMA and will be debarred from hiring foreign workers, it added.
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