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The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will consider allowing the consumption of alcohol in the dormitories of migrant workers as the Covid-19 situation in the dormitories stabilizes, but in the meantime it will intensify controls to prevent the smuggling of alcohol and cigarettes. .
The ministry was responding to media inquiries after a 74-second video clip, taken Tuesday in the Tuas View Dormitory, surfaced online showing three Certis Auxiliary Policemen pouring confiscated alcohol down a drain.
Certis has said that the three officers acted inappropriately, adding that they were mentored and reassigned to other duties.
Responding to media inquiries, Certis said its investigations found that officers had assisted with the disposal of the alcohol following a request from the dormitory operator.
“We have also reiterated to all officers deployed for Covid-19 operations in the dormitories to stay focused on their primary role of maintaining order and safety for the residents in the dormitories. All prohibited items would be delivered to the operators. of the bedrooms, “Certis said yesterday.
“Certis will cooperate and fully assist the relevant authorities for any follow-up action.”
MOM said yesterday that, together with the police, it was aware of cases in which unauthorized alcohol and cigarettes had reached the bedrooms in recent 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,” he said.
MOM noted that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, dorm residents were allowed to consume alcohol and smoke in designated areas within buildings, but were prohibited from drinking in their rooms.
The sale and consumption of alcohol was suspended with the pandemic to avoid possible “public order problems,” the MOM said.
“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,” he added.
“In the meantime, the authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and will work with the dormitory operators to implement measures to prevent the recurrence (of smuggling activities), including the intensification of controls of people and vehicles entering the dormitories. “.
Yesterday, The New Paper reported that smuggled alcohol and cigarettes were sold at marked prices, up to four times more than usual, in certain bedrooms.
But the bedroom operators interviewed said the problem was not widespread.
The Centurion Corporation, which operates five dormitories, said there were nine cases from May to this month of residents attempting to carry alcohol or cigarettes into dormitories over fences.
“These were small amounts for personal consumption and there is no evidence to suggest they were intended for wider sales to other residents,” his spokesman said.
He noted that the items were legally purchased, so while the smuggling might have violated the residence’s rules, the residents did not violate the law. In such cases, the items are confiscated and destroyed, the offender is fined between $ 50 and $ 100, and the employer is informed.
Jack Ng, who manages the 1,270-bed Hulett Dorm, said there have only been two cases of smuggling into his dorm since April.
Site supervisor and dormitory resident Kandan Gopinath, 41, used to drink alcohol twice a week, especially at night after a long day at work.
He said he understood that safe distancing issues could arise if groups were allowed to gather to drink alcohol in the bedrooms. “Perhaps one way is to limit alcohol consumption to one or two cans (of beer), or to a few hours on weekends,” he added.
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