On 11 November 2022, Migrant Workers Singapore, an advocacy group for migrant workers in Singapore, shared a notice issued by Keppel Housing dated 20 September 2022.
Movement restrictions imposed by Keppel Housing
By way of the notice, Keppel Housing imposed movement restrictions on its resident migrant worker population. Residents were informed that they should return to the dormitory by 11.00pm and they should not stay out overnight.
Keppel Housing added that the Management takes a “serious view” of such offence, and stated that those who run afoul of the movement restrictions will be reported to HR for “disciplinary action”.
Wake Up Singapore understands that movement restrictions were enforced in this dormitory even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Unbearable pains which are silently endured”
In its Facebook Post, MWS decried the oppressive nature of such movement restrictions. It called for such “inhumane” and “bad” rules to cease.
“A worker does not have the right to enjoy the beauty of the night in this city? So why can’t he stay out at night?” – Migrant Workers Singapore
At the end of its caption, the rights group wondered if such movement restrictions have the approval of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.
On 28 September 2022, Wake Up Singapore reached out to Keppel Housing to clarify if the said movement restrictions were sanctioned by the Ministry of Manpower. To date, we have not received any response from the entity.
Parliamentary question by WP MP Leon Perera
In Parliament on 28 November 2022, Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera asked the Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, if the Ministry restricts the ability of foreign worker dormitory operators to impose rules to restrict the dormitory residents’ freedom of movement.
In the second part of his question, Mr Perera asked that the Ministry consider curtailing the power of dormitory operators to impose movement restrictions to protect dormitory residents’ leisure options.
“Not allowed” – MOM
In response to Mr Perera’s question, the Ministry of Manpower made clear that dormitory operators for migrants workers are “not allowed to impose rules that prevent their residents from leaving the dormitories for leisure, unless expressly instructed by the Commissioner to do so in specific limited circumstances, such as to protect the safety or health of residents”.
The Ministry shared that any migrant worker residing in a dormitory who faces an issue with movement restrictions imposed by dormitory operators can report the case via the FWMOMCare mobile application. MOM will then assist the dormitory resident and follow-up with the dormitory operator.
Circling back to the movement restrictions imposed by Keppel Housing, it is unclear if the dormitory operators were given permission by the Commissioner to imposed such rules. If Keppel Housing did not get the prior approval of the Commissioner, such movement restrictions may be unlawful.
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