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SINGAPORE – Approved migrant dormitory workers can now use communal kitchen facilities to prepare their own food on days off, in addition to receiving regular meals from their employers on work days.
They can also use recreational facilities, such as gyms and basketball courts, provided the dorm operators have been given the green light to do so.
This easing of restrictions began in November and is part of the calibrated approach the authorities are taking.
The reason for the precaution is that the threat of Covid-19 cases resurfacing in the bedrooms has not disappeared, said on Thursday (December 10) the head of the Assurance, Care and Commitment Group (Ace) of the Ministry of Labor , Tung Yui Fai. ).
“We still have to be vigilant about the pandemic,” he added in an interview with journalists.
The restrictions on the more than 300,000 workers living in dormitories were introduced following a spike in Covid-19 cases in dormitories in April.
But despite the latest changes, workers are still largely required to stay in their bedrooms, except when going to work or running essential errands. On rest days, however, they can visit specific recreation centers.
Mr. Tung said: “When it comes to getting migrant workers back to the community for activities, I think that eventually we will get there, we will push for it. But first of all, the conditions must be right.”
It did not specify a time frame on when workers can return to the community.
One of the conditions will be that contact tracing is carried out effectively, which means that all migrant workers must be equipped and adopt the use of a contact tracing device.
Devices used by migrant workers living or working in dormitories or in the construction, shipyard and process industries are called BluePass tokens.
These tokens, which are distributed to workers, are compatible with the TraceTogether application or token, which means that they can exchange information with each other.
Tung, 56, a former brigadier general, said the Ace Group’s mission will endure beyond the pandemic.
The officials of this new division of the MOM, which took over the work of the interagency task force in charge of the welfare of migrant workers in the dormitories, are essentially the eyes and ears of the ministry on the ground.
They point out potential problems and gather feedback from groups, including workers and employers, while helping to identify and anticipate what contingency plans need to be put in place for a future crisis, be it health or any other crisis.
The Ace Group, whose staff exceeds 1,000, will also engage stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations that are interested in working with it.
Mr. Tung said that the deployment of (fast) forward assurance and support teams to work with dormitory operators to quickly respond to essential worker needs has proven helpful and effective.
One area Ace Group is working on with its partners is the issue of new housing standards for migrant workers.
They are being tested in the new quick-build dormitories that are part of the short- and medium-term housing for migrant workers. Among other things, each resident will have 6 square meters of living space, compared to the previous 4.5 square meters.
Ace has received feedback from bedroom operators that they may need additional help meeting the new standards, including financial assistance or a lease extension for their bedrooms.
Support measures for operators will be unveiled when new housing requirements for migrant workers are announced next year, Tung said.
“Having quick teams on the ground to make commitments directly, understand the challenges … will help shape our policy making in a more holistic way.”
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