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SINGAPORE: “Stern action” has been taken against residents of migrant workers’ dormitories involved in infiltrating “unauthorized” alcohol and cigarettes, the Labor Ministry (MOM) said on Friday (September 18).
In response to the CNA’s inquiries about a video showing auxiliary police officers dumping alcohol down a drain, the ministry said MOM and police are “aware of cases where alcohol and non-cigarettes were introduced. allowed in the dormitories during the last months “.
“These activities were quickly stopped and severe measures have been taken against the residents involved, including the imposition of administrative sanctions by the dormitory operators,” the MOM said in a statement.
On Thursday, a video was posted on the Singapore traffic accident Facebook page with the caption: “Worker tried to smuggle alcohol into bedroom and was caught.”
In its response, MOM said that with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has suspended the sale and consumption of alcohol “to avoid potential public order problems.”
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POSSIBLE GRADUAL RELIEF OF ALCOHOL PROHIBITION
Before COVID-19, residents were allowed to consume alcohol and smoke in designated areas within bedrooms. The consumption of alcohol in bedrooms is prohibited under the Foreign Employees Dormitory Act.
“As the COVID-19 situation stabilizes in the dormitories, MOM, in consultation with the dormitory operators, will consider gradually relaxing the rules and allowing moderate alcohol consumption within the dormitory facilities,” the ministry said. .
“In the meantime, authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and will work with dormitory operators to implement measures to prevent a recurrence, including intensifying controls on people and vehicles entering the dormitories.”
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In video uploaded Thursday, several Certis officers were seen emptying bottles of what appeared to be beer and liquor down a drain.
Certis told CNA Thursday that it was investigating the incident, adding that its officers were “assisting” in disposing of the confiscated alcohol.
He identified the location of the incident as Tuas View Dormitory, which is operated by TS Group.
CNA has asked TS Group to comment on the incident.
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