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SINGAPORE: 8,000 migrant workers will be housed in seven new quick build dormitories (QBD) that have improved living conditions, with eight more dormitories to be built by the second half of next year
The latest facilities, which are located in Kranji, Admiralty and Choa Chu Kang, began operating about a month ago.
The QBDs are part of the government’s efforts to improve living standards in housing for migrant workers. The newly constructed dormitories will test some new standards to make dormitory life more resilient to public health hazards like COVID-19.
Westlite Kranji Way is a 1,300 bed quick build dormitory developed by JTC and managed by Westlite Accomodation. (Photo: Centurion Corporation Limited)
PILOT CHARACTERISTICS
Westlite Kranji Way, a 1,300-bed QBD, has more spacious rooms. Each room has five single beds separated by at least 1 m. In a typical dormitory, 12 to 16 workers sleep on two-story beds.
The rooms also have a private bathroom, shower and sink. Excluding these shared facilities, each worker has about 6 square meters of space.
Yang Sheng Li, 50, a construction worker from China who moved from a Woodlands dorm to Westlite Kranji Way three weeks ago, says he appreciates the extra space.
“The bathroom is great, there is one bathroom per room. It is more hygienic. In the past, the rooms were very crowded. Now it is more spacious and comfortable, ”said Yang.
Residents will also be able to use larger common spaces. The exclusive kitchens and dining rooms can accommodate groups of 30 to 40 residents each.
Services such as a small supermarket, a canteen and a gym are also available on the premises.
Common facilities at the Westlite Kranji Way include hard courts, a gym and a games room. (Photo: Ministry of Manpower)
Outdoor recreation area at Westlite Kranji Way, a 1,300-bed quick build dormitory developed by JTC and managed by Westlite Accomodation. (Photo: Centurion Corporation Limited)
More single bed nursing rooms have also been included, at 1.5% of bed capacity. A red zone nursing area has also been designated for residents who test positive for COVID-19.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee, who was on site to observe the new design, emphasized the importance of increasing living spaces for migrant workers.
“Quick build dormitories are one of the measures to help keep the construction industry going and it is the densification of living spaces. Our guest workers live in dormitory style homes.
“These are places where there is a high risk of infection. Therefore, densification, as well as adequate safe living measures, are actually quite important,” he said.
Common facilities at Westlite Kranji Way include signature kitchens and dining rooms, laundry facilities, indoor and outdoor recreation areas. (Photo: Ministry of Manpower)
In the bedroom, residents are separated into smaller bubbles and mixing between bubbles is restricted. These different groups have separate walking trails and will use different pickup and drop-off points for transportation to work.
Temperature scans and disinfection at the facility entrance are also strictly observed, as are measures such as periodic routine tests.
About 340 workers have moved in since the dormitory began operating about a month ago. A full occupancy is expected by the end of the year.
Westlite Kranji Way, a 1,300 bed quick build dormitory developed by JTC and managed by Westlite Accomodation. (Photo: Centurion Corporation Limited)
QUICK BUILD BEDROOMS A TEMPORARY MEASURE
QBDs, which come in modular form with a low density, can last two to three years.
The Second Minister of Commerce and Industry, Tan See Leng, said that the specifications incorporated in these facilities will serve as a guide for more permanent solutions.
“In the meantime, we would still have to build more permanent structures that adapt to a more … durable type of structure so that our guest migrant workers can operate and live,” said Dr. Tan.
“We will also endeavor to work with existing dormitory operators to see how they can upgrade their facilities and continue with the densification process.”
Eight more QBDs will be ready by the second half of next year, bringing total capacity to 25,000, according to the National Development Ministry.
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